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SF2339 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Metropolitan Council governance modifications provision and Transportation Advisory Board elimination provision

Related bill: HF1329

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to revise the governance structure of the Metropolitan Council in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It focuses on altering how members are appointed, organized, and function while also eliminating the existing Transportation Advisory Board.

Main Provisions

  • Governance Structure: The Metropolitan Council will be restructured to include 17 voting members: a chair and 44 members. These members will be appointed from seven counties, which include Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. Specific roles for the members representing nonmotorized, freight, and public transit are also established.

  • Appointment Process:

    • County commissioners from the seven counties will appoint council members.
    • Each Metropolitan Council district will appoint a local elected official or a citizen representative.
    • The Governor, with advice from a nominating committee and the Senate, will appoint 16 members representing various districts.
    • The chair of the Council will be appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent.

  • Terms and Redistricting:

    • Members will serve staggered terms, and after each decennial federal census, the Council’s districts will be redrawn to reflect equal population distribution.

  • Compensation and Duties: Members will receive annual compensation and reimbursement for expenses. The Chair will have additional responsibilities such as liaising with local officials and serving as the Council's principal spokesperson.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Elimination of the Transportation Advisory Board: This body will be dissolved to streamline transportation planning within the Metropolitan Council.
  • New Appointment Authority: Assigns greater responsibility for appointments to municipal committees and the counties, reducing the centralized control from solely the Governor.
  • Expanded Representation: Increases the number of council districts from 16 to 33, thereby aiming for more localized representation and accountability.

Relevant Terms

  • Metropolitan Council
  • Transportation Advisory Board
  • Governance Restructure
  • County Commissioners
  • Municipal Committees
  • Nominating Committee
  • Redistricting
  • Public Transit

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 09, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 09, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toTransportation
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Introduces a system for staggered terms for members appointed by county boards and municipal committees.",
        "Establishes municipal committees in each district for local representation."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Eliminates position-specific requirements for council membership tied to certain geographic and demographic criteria."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the governance structure of the Metropolitan Council under section 473.123.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts the process for appointing council members to involve municipal committees."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "473.123"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies that only the commissioner or their designee and appointees can vote on planning matters."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill establishes voting procedures for the Metropolitan Council when acting as the metropolitan planning organization under section 473.146.",
      "modified": [
        "Sets the requirement for specific voting thresholds for adopting levy and system plans."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "473.146"
  }
]

Sponsors