BOARD/COMMISSION:  Minnesota Advisory Council on Infrastructure

The council consists of the following voting members:

(1) two members appointed by the governor;

(2) two members appointed by the senate majority leader;

(3) two members appointed by the senate minority leader;

(4) two members appointed by the speaker of the house;

(5) two members appointed by the house minority leader; and

(6) one member appointed by the Indian Affairs Council.

Voting members; appointment requirements:

(a) An appointing authority which appoints a voting-member may only appoint an individual who has direct and practical expertise and experience, whether from the public or private sector, in any of the following:

(1) asset management in one or more of the areas of planning, design, construction, management, or operations and maintenance, for: (i) drinking water; (ii) wastewater; (iii) stormwater; (iv) transportation; (v) energy; or (vi) communications;

(2) financial management and procurement; or

(3) regional asset management across jurisdictions and infrastructure sectors.

(b) Each appointing authority which appoints a voting-member in the list above, clauses (1) to (5), must appoint one individual who resides in a metropolitan county, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 4, and one individual who resides outside of a metropolitan county.

(c) No current legislator may be appointed to the council.

(d) Prior to making appointments, the appointing authorities which appoint a voting-member from the list above must coordinate and provide for:

(1) geographic representation throughout the state;

(2) representation for all major types of infrastructure assets; and

(3) representation from the public and private sectors.

Voting members; recommendations for appointment:

Each appointing authority that appoints a voting-member must acknowledge and give consideration to appointment recommendations made by interested stakeholders, including but not limited to:

(1) the Association of Minnesota Counties;

(2) the League of Minnesota Cities;

(3) the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities;

(4) the Minnesota Association of Townships;

(5) the Minnesota Chapter of the American Public Works Association;

(6) the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota;

(7) a labor union representing the building trades;

(8) a public utility;

(9) the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association;

(10) the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce;

(11) the Minnesota section of the American Water Works Association;

(12) the Minnesota Rural Water Association; and

(13) the Minnesota Rural Electric Association.

(1) the commissioner of administration;

(2) the commissioner of agriculture;

(3) the commissioner of commerce;

(4) the commissioner of employment and economic development;

(5) the commissioner of health;

(6) the commissioner of management and budget;

(7) the commissioner of natural resources;

(8) the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency;

(9) the commissioner of transportation;

(10) the commissioner of Iron Range resources and rehabilitation;

(11) the chair of the Metropolitan Council;

(12) the chair of the Board of Water and Soil Resources;

(13) the executive director of the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority;

(14) the chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; and

(15) the president of the University of Minnesota.

Nonvoting members; delegation:

(a) Notwithstanding section 15.06, subdivision 6, a non-voting member of the council may appoint a designee to serve on the council only as provided in this subdivision.

(b) An individual specified as a non-voting member may appoint a designee who serves on an ongoing basis to exercise the powers and duties as a nonvoting council member under this section. The designation must be made by written order, filed with the secretary of state. The designee must be a public employee who is:

(1) a deputy commissioner or deputy director;

(2) an assistant commissioner;

(3) an immediate subordinate of the appointing authority;

(4) a director of a relevant office; or

(5) if the appointing authority is the chair of a board or council specified under subdivision 3, another member of that board or council.

The council has the nonregulatory powers necessary to carry out its responsibilities and duties specified by law.

General responsibilities:

(a) The council is responsible for activities in a nonregulatory capacity and in coordination with stakeholders to identify and recommend best practices that:

(1) preserve and extend the longevity of Minnesota's public and privately owned infrastructure; and

(2) provide for effective and efficient management of infrastructure.

Unless specifically provided otherwise, nothing in sections 16B.356 to 16B.359 requires transfer of personnel, specific responsibilities, or administrative functions from a department or agency to the council.

The duties of the council are to:

(1) identify approaches to enhance and expedite infrastructure coordination across jurisdictions, agencies, state and local government, and public and private sectors, including in planning, design, engineering, construction, maintenance, and operations;

(2) analyze methods to improve efficiency and the use of resources related to (i) public infrastructure, and (ii) public asset management practices;

(3) identify opportunities to reduce duplication in infrastructure projects and asset management;

(4) identify barriers and gaps in effective asset management;

(5) identify objectives and strategies that enhance the longevity and adaptability of infrastructure throughout the state;

(6) develop advisory recommendations, if any, related to the responsibilities and duties specified under this section, including to state agencies for programs, policies, and practices; and

(7) implement the requirements under sections 16B.356 to 16B.359.

The council must develop and recommend a plan for a statewide asset managers program that provides for:

(1) identification, exchange, and distribution of (i) information on existing asset management tools and resources, and (ii) best practices on infrastructure management;

(2) training for infrastructure owners and asset managers; and

(3) coordination and collaboration among infrastructure owners and asset managers.

By December 15 annually, the council must submit a report to the governor and the legislative committees with jurisdiction over capital investment, climate, economic development, energy, and transportation. At a minimum, the report must:

(1) summarize the activities of the council;

(2) provide an overview for each of the duties and requirements under sections 16B.356 to 16B.359;

(3) identify any barriers and constraints related to activities of the council; and

(4) provide any recommendations of the council.

By May 1, 2025, the commissioner of administration must hire an executive director as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.359.

Following the appointments of members and hiring an executive director, the Minnesota Advisory Council on Infrastructure established under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.357, must undertake community engagement efforts throughout the state that include hearings to obtain comments and information related to providing for effective and efficient management of infrastructure and preserving and extending the longevity of Minnesota's public and privately owned infrastructure.

A majority of the council, including voting and nonvoting members and excluding vacancies, is a quorum.

The council may conduct business as provided under section 13D.015. The council is subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law under chapters 13 and 13D.