SF988

Purpose

• To increase transparency for matters involving state-owned historic properties by requiring certain Minnesota Historical Society activities to be publicly accessible. The bill aims to open relevant meetings to the public and to designate related data as public.

Main provisions

• Meetings open to the public:
  • Any meeting of the executive council where the council discusses, makes decisions about, or receives information related to state-owned historic sites (as defined in the bill) or state-owned historic places designated under the related sections, or state-owned places on the National Register of Historic Places, is made subject to the Open Meeting Law (chapter 13D).
• Public data:
  • Data maintained by the Minnesota Historical Society that relates to those state-owned historic sites or designated places, including data about places on the National Register, is designated as public data under the state’s public data law (as defined in the referenced sections).

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds an Open Meeting Law requirement for specific discussions and decisions by the executive council concerning state-owned historic sites and related properties.
• Establishes that data held by the Minnesota Historical Society about these sites and properties, including National Register-listed places, is public data.

Scope and impact (practical implications)

• Increases transparency of executive council proceedings related to historic properties.
• Makes information about state-owned historic sites more accessible to the public, researchers, and media.
• Aligns management and documentation of these sites with public data standards.

Key terms from the bill (explicit concepts included for clarity)

• Minnesota Historical Society
• state-owned historic sites
• state-owned historic places designated under section 138.663
• National Register of Historic Places
• executive council
• meetings
• Open Meeting Law
• chapter 13D
• public data
• public data as defined in section 13.02 subdivisions 14 and 15

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Historical Society - state-owned historic sites - National Register of Historic Places - executive council - open meetings - chapter 13D - public data - section 13.02 subdivisions 14 and 15 - section 138.662 - section 138.663