Bill Text: MN HF2132 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Council on Black Minnesotans duties and powers expanded.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-25 - Introduction and first reading, referred to Government Operations [HF2132 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-HF2132-Introduced.html
1.2relating to state government; expanding duties and powers of the Council on
1.3Black Minnesotans;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3.9225.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3.9225, is amended to read:
1.63.9225 COUNCIL ON BLACK MINNESOTANS.
1.7 Subdivision 1. Creation. A state Council on Black Minnesotans (COBM) consists
1.8of13 15 members appointed by the governor. The members of the council must be broadly
1.9representative of the Black community of the state and include at least five males and at
1.10least five females.One member of the council must be a person whose ethnic heritage is
1.11from West Africa, and one member of the council must be a person whose ethnic heritage
1.12is from East Africa. There must be equal representation of African Americans, East
1.13Africans, and West Africans on the council. Membership terms, compensation, removal of
1.14members, and filling of vacancies for nonlegislative members are as provided in section
1.1515.0575
. Because the council performs functions that are not purely advisory, the council
1.16is not subject to the expiration date in section15.059 . Two members of the house of
1.17representatives appointed by the speaker and two members of the senate appointed by
1.18the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration shall
1.19serve as nonvoting members of the council. The council shall annually elect from its
1.20membership a chair and other officers it deems necessary.
1.21 Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this section:
1.22(1) "Black" describes persons who consider themselves as having origin in any of
1.23the Black racial groups of Africa;
2.1(2) "East Africa" means the eastern region of the continent of Africa, comprising
2.2areas occupied by the countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and
2.3Somalia; and
2.4(3) "West Africa" means the western region of the continent of Africa comprising
2.5areas occupied by the countries of Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau,
2.6Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Burkina Faso,
2.7and those parts of Mali and Niger south of the Sahara.
2.8 Subd. 3. Duties. The council shall:
2.9(a)advise brief the governor and the legislature legislative leaders face-to-face on
2.10 the nature of the issues confronting policy and administrative matters of concern to Black
2.11people in this state Minnesotans and the COBM;
2.12(b) advise the governor and the legislature on statutes or rules necessary to ensure
2.13that Black people have access to benefits and services provided to people in this state;
2.14(c) recommend to the governor and the legislature any revisions in the state's
2.15affirmative action program and other steps that are necessary to eliminate underutilization
2.16of Blacks in the state's work force;
2.17(d) recommend to the governor and the legislature legislation to improve the
2.18economic and social condition of Black people in this state;
2.19(e) serve as a conduit to state government for organizations of Black people in
2.20the state;
2.21(f) serve as a referral agency to assist Black people to secure access to state agencies
2.22and programs;
2.23(g) serve as a liaison with the federal government, local government units, and
2.24private organizations on matters relating to the Black people of this state;
2.25(h) perform or contract for the performance of studies designed to suggest solutions
2.26to problems of Black people in the areas of education, employment, human rights, health,
2.27housing, social welfare, and other related areas;
2.28(i) implement programs designed to solve problems of Black people when authorized
2.29by other statute, rule, or order;
2.30(j) review data provided by the commissioner of human services under section
2.31260C.215, subdivision 5
, and present recommendations on the out-of-home placement
2.32of Black children. Recommendations must be presented to the commissioner and the
2.33legislature by February 1, 1990; November 1, 1990; and November 1 of each year
2.34thereafter;and
2.35(k) publicize the accomplishments of Black people and their contributions to this
2.36state.;
3.1(l) draft and lobby for legislation of concern to Black Minnesotans;
3.2(m) testify before legislative committees and task forces on all legislation or issues
3.3that may impact the Black community;
3.4(n) remove members that violate attendance policy; and
3.5(o) recommend bonding initiatives to the governor and legislature that benefit the
3.6Black community.
3.7 Subd. 4. Review of grant applications. All applications by a state department or
3.8agency for the receipt of federal funds which will have their primary effect on Black
3.9Minnesotans shall be submitted to the council for review and recommendation at least 30
3.10days before submission to a federal agency.
3.11 Subd. 5. Powers. (a) The council may contract in its own name, but no money shall
3.12be accepted or received as a loan nor indebtedness incurred except as otherwise provided
3.13by law. Contracts shall be approved by a majority of the members of the council and
3.14executed by the chair and the executive director. The council may apply for, receive, and
3.15expend in its own name grants and gifts of money consistent with the power and duties
3.16specified in subdivisions 1 to 7.
3.17(b) The council may solicit and accept payments for advertising, use of exhibition
3.18space, or commemorative videos or other items in connection with publications, events,
3.19media productions, and informational programs that are sponsored by the council. These
3.20revenues must be deposited in an account in the special revenue fund and are appropriated
3.21to the council to defray costs of publications, events, media productions, or informational
3.22programs consistent with the powers and duties specified in subdivisions 1 to 7. The
3.23council may not publish advertising or provide exhibition space for any elected official
3.24or candidate for elective office. The council must report by January 15 each year to the
3.25chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate funding
3.26divisions with jurisdiction over the council on the amount and source of each payment
3.27received under this paragraph in the prior fiscal year.
3.28(c) The council shall appoint an executive director who is experienced in
3.29administrative activities and familiar with the problems and needs of Black people. The
3.30council may delegate to the executive director powers and duties under subdivisions 1 to 7
3.31which do not require council approval. The executive directorserves in the unclassified
3.32 and staff members serve in the classified serviceand may be removed at any time by the
3.33council. The executive director shall recommend to the council, and the council may
3.34appoint the appropriate staff necessary to carry out its duties. Staff members serve in the
3.35unclassified service. The commissioner of administration shall provide the council with
3.36necessary administrative services.
4.1(d) The council shall partner with state agencies and departments to develop Black
4.2business recruitment to the state and increase international trade relations with African
4.3nations.
4.4(e) The council may receive legacy funds to provide grants for conservation, clean
4.5water, and arts and cultural heritage projects in the Black community.
4.6 Subd. 6. State agency assistance. Other state agencies shall supply the council
4.7upon request with advisory staff services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the
4.8council. The council shall cooperate and coordinate its activities with other state agencies
4.9to the highest possible degree.
4.10 Subd. 7. Report. The council shall prepare and submit a report to the governor and
4.11legislature by November 15 of each year. The report shall summarize the activities of the
4.12council since its last report, list receipts and expenditures, identify the major problems
4.13and issues confronting Black people, make recommendations to address issues, and list
4.14the specific objectives which the council seeks to attain during the next biennium. The
4.15council shall report on outcome measures.
1.3Black Minnesotans;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3.9225.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3.9225, is amended to read:
1.63.9225 COUNCIL ON BLACK MINNESOTANS.
1.7 Subdivision 1. Creation. A state Council on Black Minnesotans (COBM) consists
1.8of
1.9representative of the Black community of the state and include at least five males and at
1.10least five females.
1.11
1.12
1.13Africans, and West Africans on the council. Membership terms, compensation, removal of
1.14members, and filling of vacancies for nonlegislative members are as provided in section
1.16is not subject to the expiration date in section
1.17representatives appointed by the speaker and two members of the senate appointed by
1.18the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration shall
1.19serve as nonvoting members of the council. The council shall annually elect from its
1.20membership a chair and other officers it deems necessary.
1.21 Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this section:
1.22(1) "Black" describes persons who consider themselves as having origin in any of
1.23the Black racial groups of Africa;
2.1(2) "East Africa" means the eastern region of the continent of Africa, comprising
2.2areas occupied by the countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and
2.3Somalia; and
2.4(3) "West Africa" means the western region of the continent of Africa comprising
2.5areas occupied by the countries of Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau,
2.6Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Burkina Faso,
2.7and those parts of Mali and Niger south of the Sahara.
2.8 Subd. 3. Duties. The council shall:
2.9(a)
2.10
2.11
2.12(b) advise the governor and the legislature on statutes or rules necessary to ensure
2.13that Black people have access to benefits and services provided to people in this state;
2.14(c) recommend to the governor and the legislature any revisions in the state's
2.15affirmative action program and other steps that are necessary to eliminate underutilization
2.16of Blacks in the state's work force;
2.17(d) recommend to the governor and the legislature legislation to improve the
2.18economic and social condition of Black people in this state;
2.19(e) serve as a conduit to state government for organizations of Black people in
2.20the state;
2.21(f) serve as a referral agency to assist Black people to secure access to state agencies
2.22and programs;
2.23(g) serve as a liaison with the federal government, local government units, and
2.24private organizations on matters relating to the Black people of this state;
2.25(h) perform or contract for the performance of studies designed to suggest solutions
2.26to problems of Black people in the areas of education, employment, human rights, health,
2.27housing, social welfare, and other related areas;
2.28(i) implement programs designed to solve problems of Black people when authorized
2.29by other statute, rule, or order;
2.30(j) review data provided by the commissioner of human services under section
2.32of Black children. Recommendations must be presented to the commissioner and the
2.33legislature by February 1, 1990; November 1, 1990; and November 1 of each year
2.34thereafter;
2.35(k) publicize the accomplishments of Black people and their contributions to this
2.36state
3.1(l) draft and lobby for legislation of concern to Black Minnesotans;
3.2(m) testify before legislative committees and task forces on all legislation or issues
3.3that may impact the Black community;
3.4(n) remove members that violate attendance policy; and
3.5(o) recommend bonding initiatives to the governor and legislature that benefit the
3.6Black community.
3.7 Subd. 4. Review of grant applications. All applications by a state department or
3.8agency for the receipt of federal funds which will have their primary effect on Black
3.9Minnesotans shall be submitted to the council for review and recommendation at least 30
3.10days before submission to a federal agency.
3.11 Subd. 5. Powers. (a) The council may contract in its own name, but no money shall
3.12be accepted or received as a loan nor indebtedness incurred except as otherwise provided
3.13by law. Contracts shall be approved by a majority of the members of the council and
3.14executed by the chair and the executive director. The council may apply for, receive, and
3.15expend in its own name grants and gifts of money consistent with the power and duties
3.16specified in subdivisions 1 to 7.
3.17(b) The council may solicit and accept payments for advertising, use of exhibition
3.18space, or commemorative videos or other items in connection with publications, events,
3.19media productions, and informational programs that are sponsored by the council. These
3.20revenues must be deposited in an account in the special revenue fund and are appropriated
3.21to the council to defray costs of publications, events, media productions, or informational
3.22programs consistent with the powers and duties specified in subdivisions 1 to 7. The
3.23council may not publish advertising or provide exhibition space for any elected official
3.24or candidate for elective office. The council must report by January 15 each year to the
3.25chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate funding
3.26divisions with jurisdiction over the council on the amount and source of each payment
3.27received under this paragraph in the prior fiscal year.
3.28(c) The council shall appoint an executive director who is experienced in
3.29administrative activities and familiar with the problems and needs of Black people. The
3.30council may delegate to the executive director powers and duties under subdivisions 1 to 7
3.31which do not require council approval. The executive director
3.32 and staff members serve in the classified service
3.33
3.34appoint the appropriate staff necessary to carry out its duties. Staff members serve in the
3.35unclassified service. The commissioner of administration shall provide the council with
3.36necessary administrative services.
4.1(d) The council shall partner with state agencies and departments to develop Black
4.2business recruitment to the state and increase international trade relations with African
4.3nations.
4.4(e) The council may receive legacy funds to provide grants for conservation, clean
4.5water, and arts and cultural heritage projects in the Black community.
4.6 Subd. 6. State agency assistance. Other state agencies shall supply the council
4.7upon request with advisory staff services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the
4.8council. The council shall cooperate and coordinate its activities with other state agencies
4.9to the highest possible degree.
4.10 Subd. 7. Report. The council shall prepare and submit a report to the governor and
4.11legislature by November 15 of each year. The report shall summarize the activities of the
4.12council since its last report, list receipts and expenditures, identify the major problems
4.13and issues confronting Black people, make recommendations to address issues, and list
4.14the specific objectives which the council seeks to attain during the next biennium. The
4.15council shall report on outcome measures.
