Bill > HF3173

This bill addresses voting restrictions for outgoing municipal officials by introducing new definitions and limitations on their ability to participate in municipal debt decisions. Specifically, the bill defines an "outgoing official" as a person serving the remainder of their term after their successor has been elected or appointed. Under the new provisions, an outgoing official must abstain from voting on new municipal debt obligations, and if they attempt to vote, their vote will not be counted by the governing body. However, this restriction does not apply to debt obligations that require approval from a majority of voters through a public referendum process, as outlined in section 475.58 of Minnesota Statutes. The purpose of this bill appears to be preventing lame-duck officials from making significant financial commitments after they have effectively been replaced, thereby ensuring that newly elected or appointed officials have more direct control over municipal financial decisions.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF3173&ssn=0&y=2025