SF2411

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to modify the rules regarding the composition of public utility commissions in statutory cities within Minnesota. It aims to increase flexibility in the size of these commissions.

Main Provisions

• The bill proposes to amend the current law to allow statutory city public utility commissions to have either three, five, or seven members. This increases the maximum number of members from the existing three-member limit.
• A council can appoint commission members, but no more than one member can be a sitting council member.
• Terms for members are set at three years, but initial terms can be staggered to allow for a rotational system. For example, if the initial commission has:
  • Three members: Terms initially set as one, two, and three years.
  • Five members: Terms set as one member for one year, two members for two years, and two members for three years.
  • Seven members: Terms set as two members for one year, two members for two years, and three members for three years.
• Commissions can adjust their size within the specified limits by city ordinance, maintaining staggered member terms.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill changes the allowable number of commission members, increasing from a static size to flexible sizes (three, five, or seven members).
• It formalizes the ability for the city's ordinance to adjust the commission size while maintaining the existing members' terms until their completion.

Relevant Terms

• Public utility commission
• Statutory city
• Commission members
• Terms and tenure
• City ordinance
• Staggered terms