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HF1731 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Local governmental units authorized to opt out of the Metropolitan Council regulatory jurisdiction.

Related bill: SF2534

AI Generated Summary

This bill (H.F. No. 1731) proposes to allow local governmental units in Minnesota to opt out of the regulatory jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council. The bill includes the following key provisions:

  1. Opt-Out Authorization: A local governmental unit may file a resolution to independently govern development and public infrastructure within its boundaries. The Metropolitan Council’s jurisdiction over that unit ends on January 1 following the resolution's filing.

  2. Prohibition on Metropolitan Council Tax Levies: After opting out, a local governmental unit is exempt from taxes levied by the Metropolitan Council, except for transit services in areas included in the metropolitan transit taxing district.

  3. Eligibility for Agreements and Grants: Local governmental units that opt out may still apply for Metropolitan Council-administered grants and enter into joint agreements with the Council.

  4. Continuation of Services: The Metropolitan Council may continue operating council-owned properties and providing transit services within an opted-out governmental unit.

  5. Opting Back In: A local governmental unit that previously opted out may opt back into the Metropolitan Council’s jurisdiction no sooner than four years after opting out. The decision to rejoin must be formalized through a resolution stating that it is in the best interest of the unit.

This bill effectively grants local governmental units more control over their planning and infrastructure while still allowing access to some Metropolitan Council resources and services.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Authorization for local governmental units to opt-out or opt-in of Metropolitan Council jurisdiction."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill mentions the metropolitan transit taxing district under section 473.446, subdivision 2, allowing Metropolitan Council to levy taxes on properties within this district.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "473.446",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Details on eligibility agreements for grants and joint powers agreements."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section allows local governmental units to enter joint powers agreements with the Metropolitan Council.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "471.59",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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