Bill Text: MN SR177 | 2011-2012 | 87th Legislature | Draft


Bill Title: A Senate resolution relating to conduct of Senate business during the interim between sessions

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-05-09 - Adopted vote: 55-10 [SR177 Detail]

Download: Minnesota-2011-SR177-Draft.html

1.1A Senate resolution
1.2relating to conduct of Senate business during the interim between Sessions.
1.3BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the State of Minnesota:
1.4The powers, duties, and procedures set forth in this resolution apply during the interim
1.5between the adjournment sine die of the 87th Legislature, 2012 Session, and the convening of
1.6the 88th Legislature, 2013 Session.
1.7The Committee on Rules and Administration may, from time to time, assign to the various
1.8committees and subcommittees of the Senate, in the interim, matters brought to its attention by any
1.9member of the Senate for study and investigation. The standing committees and subcommittees
1.10may study and investigate all subjects that come within their usual jurisdiction, as provided by
1.11Minnesota Statutes, Section 3.921. A committee shall carry on its work by subcommittee or by
1.12committee action as the committee from time to time determines. Any study undertaken by any
1.13of the standing committees, or any subcommittee thereof, shall be coordinated to the greatest
1.14extent possible with other standing committees or subcommittees of the Senate and House of
1.15Representatives, and may, if the committee or subcommittee so determines, be carried on jointly
1.16with another committee or subcommittee of the Senate or House of Representatives.
1.17The Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration shall
1.18appoint persons as necessary to fill any vacancies that may occur in committees, commissions,
1.19and other bodies whose members are to be appointed by the Senate authorized by rule, statute,
1.20resolution, or otherwise. The Subcommittee on Committees may appoint members of the Senate
1.21to assist in the work of any committee.
1.22The Committee on Rules and Administration shall establish positions, set compensation
1.23and benefits, appoint employees, and authorize expense reimbursement as it deems proper
1.24to carry out the work of the Senate.
1.25The Committee on Rules and Administration may authorize members of the Senate and
1.26personnel employed by the Senate to travel and to attend courses of instruction or conferences for
1.27the purpose of improving and making more efficient Senate operation and may reimburse these
1.28persons for the costs thereof out of monies appropriated to the Senate.
1.29All members of activated standing committees or subcommittees of the Senate, and staff,
1.30shall be reimbursed for all expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of
1.31their duties during the interim in the manner provided by law. Payment shall be made by the
1.32Secretary of the Senate out of monies appropriated to the Senate for the standing committees.
1.33The Committee on Rules and Administration shall determine the amount and manner of
2.1reimbursement for living and other expenses of each member of the Senate incurred in the
2.2performance of Senate duties when the Legislature is not in regular session.
2.3The Secretary of the Senate shall continue to perform his duties during the interim. During
2.4the interim, but not including time which may be spent in any special session, the Secretary of the
2.5Senate shall be paid for services rendered the Senate at the rate established for his position for the
2.62012 regular session, unless otherwise directed by the Committee on Rules and Administration,
2.7plus travel and subsistence expense incurred incidental to his Senate duties, including salary and
2.8travel expense incurred in attending meetings of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
2.9Should a vacancy occur in the position of Secretary of the Senate, by resignation or other
2.10causes, the Committee on Rules and Administration shall appoint an acting Secretary of the
2.11Senate who shall serve in that capacity during the remainder of the interim under the provisions
2.12herein specified.
2.13The Secretary of the Senate is authorized to employ after the close of the session the
2.14employees necessary to finish the business of the Senate at the salaries paid under the rules of
2.15the Senate for the 2012 regular session. The Secretary of the Senate is authorized to employ the
2.16necessary employees to prepare for the 2013 session at the salaries in effect at that time.
2.17The Secretary of the Senate shall classify as eligible for benefits under Minnesota Statutes,
2.18Sections 3.095 and 43A.24, those Senate employees heretofore or hereafter certified as eligible
2.19for benefits by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
2.20The Secretary of the Senate, as authorized and directed by the Committee on Rules and
2.21Administration, shall furnish each member of the Senate with postage and supplies, and upon
2.22proper verification of the expenses incurred, shall reimburse each member for expenses as
2.23authorized from time to time by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
2.24The Secretary of the Senate shall correct and approve the Journal of the Senate for those
2.25days that have not been corrected and approved by the Senate, and shall correct printing errors
2.26found in the Journal of the Senate for the 87th Legislature. The Secretary of the Senate may
2.27include in the Senate Journal proceedings of the last day, appointments by the Subcommittee
2.28on Committees to interim commissions created by legislative action, permanent commissions
2.29or committees established by statute, standing committees, official communications and other
2.30matters of record received on or after adjournment sine die.
2.31The Secretary of the Senate may pay election and litigation costs, including the costs of
2.32legal defense, as authorized by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
3.1The Secretary of the Senate, with the approval of the Committee on Rules and
3.2Administration, shall secure bids and enter into contracts for the printing of the bills and binding
3.3of the permanent Senate Journal, shall secure bids and enter into contracts for remodeling,
3.4improvement and furnishing of Senate office space, conference rooms and the Senate Chamber
3.5and shall purchase all supplies, equipment and other goods and services necessary to carry out the
3.6work of the Senate. Any contracts in excess of $10,000 shall be approved by the Chair of the
3.7Committee on Rules and Administration and another member designated by the chair.
3.8The Secretary of the Senate shall draw warrants from the legislative expense fund in
3.9payment of the accounts herein referred to.
3.10All Senate records, including committee books, are subject to the direction of the
3.11Committee on Rules and Administration.
3.12The Senate Chamber, retiring room, committee rooms, all conference rooms, storage rooms,
3.13Secretary of the Senate's office, Rules and Administration office, and any and all other space
3.14assigned to the Senate shall be reserved for use by the Senate and its standing committees only and
3.15shall not be released or used for any other purpose except upon authorization of the Secretary of
3.16the Senate with the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration, or the Chair thereof.
3.17The custodian of the Capitol shall continue to provide parking space through the Secretary
3.18of the Senate for members and staff of the Minnesota State Senate on Aurora Avenue and other
3.19areas as may be required during the interim. The Secretary of the Senate may deduct from the
3.20check of any legislator or legislative employee a sum adequate to cover the exercise of the parking
3.21privilege herein defined in conformity with the practice of the Department of Administration.
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