HF3475

Purpose

• To modify how per diem compensation is handled for certain leadership and board roles connected to Minnesota agriculture-related councils and institutes. The bill changes who may be paid per diem, how compensation is approved, and clarifies staffing and leadership structure for these councils and boards.

Main provisions

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 41D.01 subdivision 3 to reorganize and specify:
  • The chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture policy (or their designees) must serve as the cochairs of the council.
  • The council’s rules on membership terms, compensation, vacancies, and removal follow the guidelines in section 15.0575, with a key exception: a member who is not a member of the House of Representatives or Senate may be compensated at the rate of $125 per day after approval by the council.
  • The council may employ an executive director and any other staff needed to carry out its functions.
• Indicates the bill also adds a subdivision to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 116V.01 (though the text provided does not include the subdivision’s content).
• Overall goal: establish per diem eligibility and governance for officers and directors associated with the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute.

Significant changes to existing law

• Introduces a per diem compensation pathway specifically for non-legislator members of the affected councils/boards, requiring council approval.
• Reconfigures leadership roles by designating committee chairs as cochairs of the council.
• Clarifies that the council can hire an executive director and staff, centralizing operations and administration.
• Aligns compensation and governance rules with the referenced section (15.0575) while adding specific provisions for non-legislator members.

Administrative and governance notes

• The changes affect how compensation is administered for certain non-legislator participants.
• The council gains explicit authority to hire staff, which may impact budgeting, staffing, and operations for the involved agricultural programs.
• The referenced sections suggest alignment with broader statutory frameworks governing appointments, vacancies, and compensation, with a notable exception for non-legislator per diem payments.

Relevant Terms - per diem compensation - Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council - Agricultural Utilization Research Institute - board of directors - executive director - staff - cochairs - chairs of legislative committees (agriculture policy) - compensation - membership terms - vacancies - removal - section 15.0575 - Minnesota Statutes 2024 - subsection 41D.01 subdivision 3 - section 116V.01 - subdivision (new)

Relevant Terms (inferred concepts) - daily stipend - governance and administration - non-legislator compensation - council approval process - organizational leadership for agricultural programs