SF197

SF197 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

School board membership requirements modification

Related bill: HF63

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes changes to the membership structure of school boards in Minnesota. It aims to include student members on school boards starting from the 2025-2026 school year. Student members will be selected through a process that allows students in grades 9 through 12 to vote. These student members can serve up to two terms, each term lasting two years. They can participate in meetings, introduce agenda items, join discussions, and vote on board matters. The bill also maintains ineligibility for sexual offenders to become board members and provides specific training for all board members, including student members, regarding school finance and management. Additionally, the bill outlines the procedures for handling vacancies and changes in board member numbers, ensuring that diverse students are encouraged to participate in the board member selection process.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 15, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 15, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Education Policy
March 09, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Explicit ineligibility for sex offenders was added."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removals related to this citation."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill includes provisions that make sex offenders ineligible for school board membership based on the registration requirements under section 243.166.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified the process involving registration requirements for eligibility purposes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "243.166"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Student members are included in mandatory training requirements."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removals related to this citation."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill mandates training requirements for school board members consistent with section 127A.19.",
      "modified": [
        "The training process has been aligned to include student board members."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "127A.19"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Student members can receive reimbursement for transportation."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removals related to this citation."
      ],
      "summary": "This section refers to the rate of reimbursement for transportation for board members as provided in section 471.665.",
      "modified": [
        "Encompassed student members in the existing reimbursement mechanism."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "471.665"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on ineligible compensation or benefits."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removals related to this citation."
      ],
      "summary": "This references limits on compensation or benefits related to group insurance coverage.",
      "modified": [
        "Expanded definition of ineligible compensation involving insurance incentives."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "471.6161"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification that the refund system remains intact for the relevant parties."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removals related to this citation."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill retains provisions for a refund system under section 123B.75.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies eligibility criteria for receiving refunds."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "123B.75"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New conditions triggering special elections were outlined."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removals related to this citation."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies timelines and conditions under which special elections must be held, considering provisions under section 205A.06.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusted timelines and conditions for holding special elections."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "205A.06"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Options for mailing summaries were included."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removals related to this citation."
      ],
      "summary": "This section relates to the publication of board proceedings in local newspapers or summaries thereof, consistent with section 331A.01.",
      "modified": [
        "Parameters for publishing or mailing proceedings have been clarified to reflect varying scenarios."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "331A.01"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarified authorized election dates."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removals related to this citation."
      ],
      "summary": "This section is referenced concerning the authorized dates for holding elections, as prescribed in section 205A.05.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifics about when elections should be held have been adjusted."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "205A.05"
  }
]