Bill > HF3168

This bill establishes a new system for alternate members on three specific ethnic councils in Minnesota (the Council on Latino Affairs, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans). The bill requires each council to create a pool of alternate members with a two-to-one alternate-to-regular-member ratio, who will be appointed by the governor and meet the same diversity and eligibility criteria as regular members. These alternate members can step in when regular members are absent, have vacated their seat, or cannot fulfill their duties, and will have full voting rights when activated. Alternates must complete the same training as regular members and are encouraged to attend meetings as non-voting participants when not filling in for a regular member. The bill also mandates tracking of attendance and provides mechanisms for replacing members who consistently fail to participate, with alternates potentially being elevated to full membership in case of a vacancy. Additionally, each council must submit an annual report to the governor and legislative committees detailing the use and impact of alternate members. The goal is to ensure consistent participation, maintain quorums, and improve the effectiveness of these ethnic councils by creating a more robust membership structure.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF3168&ssn=0&y=2025