S.F. No. 2385 provides for staggered terms for Met Council members. Additional notice must be provided along with the notice of a vacancy on the Council. The membership of the nominating committee is expanded. The nominating process is changed to require additional information to be made public. The Met Council must establish an advisory committee to look at ways to reduce concentrations of poverty in the region.

Section 1. Terms. Met Council member terms are staggered, four-year terms. This change takes effect for appointments made on or after January 1, 2019. The members serving on the effective date will complete their terms in either 2021 or 2023. After that, all members will have four-year terms.

Section 2. Membership; appointments; qualifications. This section clarifies that one member of the council must represent each district. The notice of vacancies must be published and provided to cities and towns within ten days of submitting notice to the Secretary of State. The notices must include a detailed description of the position. The membership of the nominating committee is expanded from seven members to thirteen. The Governor still appoints seven members. Metro Cities appoints three members to represent cities and the Association of Minnesota Counties appoints three members to represent counties. The nominating committee must submit the names and qualifications of three finalists to the Governor for each appointment.  The names and qualifications of the finalists must be published for 14 days before the Governor can make an appointment. Council members must have relevant experience and be able to meet the time commitments of the position. This section is effective on January 1, 2017.

Section 3. Advisory committees. The Equity Advisory Committee must assist the Met Council in looking at ways to reduce concentrations of poverty in the region and foster increased connections to social and economic opportunities. The advisory committee must accomplish the stated tasks. This section is effective on January 1, 2017.

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