Bill > HF1213

This bill improves transparency and member participation in electric cooperatives by introducing several key provisions. It requires board meetings to be open to all members, with provisions for closing meetings only under specific, limited circumstances, and mandates that meetings can be attended remotely via the internet. The bill also requires cooperatives to maintain a comprehensive website with accessible documents including bylaws, meeting minutes, financial statements, and election information. Members will now have the right to access the cooperative's membership list for legitimate purposes, with safeguards against commercial misuse. The legislation introduces new nomination procedures allowing candidates to be nominated by petition signed by at least 40 members, and mandates that cooperatives implement secure electronic and mail-in voting systems for board elections, ensuring ballot secrecy. Additionally, the bill requires annual notification of members' capital credit allocations and mandates that cooperatives respond to member inquiries about their cumulative capital credits within 45 days. These changes aim to increase member engagement, transparency, and democratic participation in electric cooperative governance, with most provisions becoming effective immediately and electronic voting requirements applying to board elections from September 1, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1213&ssn=0&y=2025