Bill > SF1693

This bill expands Minnesota's home rule charter provisions to include towns, allowing towns to develop their own local government charters similar to the existing process for cities. The bill creates a comprehensive framework for town home rule charters, including establishing a charter commission appointed by the district court chief judge, with 7-15 members serving six-year staggered terms. The charter commission can be initiated by a petition signed by at least 10% of registered town voters, a town board resolution, or court determination. The bill outlines detailed procedures for drafting, proposing, and adopting a town charter, including requirements for election notices, ballot language, and the amendment process. Towns adopting a home rule charter would maintain legal continuity with their previous statutory organization, preserving existing rights, property, and ongoing legal proceedings. The charter can specify the town's organizational structure, boundary adjustments, and governance mechanisms, providing towns with more local control and flexibility in managing their municipal affairs. The bill ensures transparency and public participation by requiring public hearings, published notices, and provisions for voter referendums on charter proposals and amendments. Importantly, the legislation extends many of the existing home rule charter provisions previously available only to cities to now include towns, giving smaller local governments more autonomy in designing their governmental structure.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1693&ssn=0&y=2025