AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Allow the city of Lake City to establish a port authority commission with powers similar to a standard port authority, but with important limitations. The commission would not have the authority to issue debt or bonds or to exercise eminent domain. The city could, if desired, levy a tax for the port authority’s benefit, subject to the city’s approval or denial. The city would oversee and exercise the port authority’s powers under existing state law, and the city could choose the commission’s name.
Main Provisions
Subdivision 1 — Establishment and scope
- The city may establish a port authority commission.
- The commission would have the same powers as a port authority created under existing law, except:
- It cannot issue debt or bonds of any kind.
- It cannot exercise eminent domain.
- The port authority may request the city to levy a tax to benefit the port authority.
- The city may grant or deny the request to levy a tax.
- If the city establishes the port authority commission, the city would exercise all port-authority-related powers granted to cities by the relevant statutes (sections 469.048 to 469.068 or other law).
- The city may choose the name of the commission.
Subdivision 2 — Relation to housing and redevelopment authority
- If Lake City establishes the port authority commission, the commission may exercise the same powers as a municipal housing and redevelopment authority (MHRA) under sections 469.001 to 469.047 or other law, with the same key limitation: no power to levy taxes, no debt or bonds, and no eminent domain.
- The city would then exercise all powers relating to the MHRA as granted by those MHRA statutes or other law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Creates a new local government option for Lake City to form a port authority commission with limited powers.
- Removes the ability of the port authority commission to issue debt, bonds, or exercise eminent domain.
- Allows a potential tax levy for the port authority’s benefit, but places the final decision to levy in the hands of the city.
- Establishes a framework where the city retains ultimate authority to operate port authority and MHRA functions, while delegating certain powers to the new commission as described.
- Clarifies that the commission’s authority could parallel the powers of both a port authority (under specific sections) and a MHRA, but with the same financial and eminent-domain limitations.
Relevant Terms - port authority commission - Lake City - levy a tax / tax levy - debt or bonds - eminent domain - port authority (general powers) - municipal housing and redevelopment authority (MHRA) - sections 469.048 to 469.068 - sections 469.001 to 469.047 - city may choose the name of the commission - powers (as related to port authority and MHRA)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Upcoming committee meetings
- Elections Finance and Government Operations on: March 23, 2026 13:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Elections Finance and Government Operations |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Establishment of a port authority commission in Lake City.",
"Authority to request the city to levy a tax for the port authority for the port authority's benefit.",
"Powers related to a port authority as granted by sections 469.048 to 469.068 or other law, but without debt issuance or eminent domain."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 469.0773, subdivision 1, to establish a Lake City port authority commission with powers similar to a port authority, but with no authority to issue debt or exercise eminent domain; it may request a tax levy for the port authority.",
"modified": [
"Amends the scope and limitations of the Lake City port authority per section 469.0773, subdivision 1."
]
},
"citation": "469.0773",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"If the port authority commission is established under subdivision 1, the commission may exercise the same powers as a municipal housing and redevelopment authority under sections 469.001 to 469.047 or other law, but with no power to levy taxes, issue debt or bonds, or exercise powers of eminent domain."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill adds subdivision 2 to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 469.0773 describing the powers of the port authority commission if established, aligning with the municipal housing and redevelopment authority powers under sections 469.001 to 469.047, with restrictions on taxes, debt, and eminent domain.",
"modified": [
"Cites alignment of port authority powers with MHRA authorities under 469.001–469.047 and clarifies limitations."
]
},
"citation": "469.0773",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes section 469.053, subdivision 4, and uses a Notwithstanding clause to allow the city of Lake City to grant or deny a tax levy for the port authority, despite restrictions in 469.053, subdivision 4.",
"modified": [
"Notwithstanding 469.053, subdivision 4 is invoked to permit the city to grant or deny a tax levy for the port authority."
]
},
"citation": "469.053",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill cross-references Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 469.049 as the basis for port authority powers or structure; no new powers are created by this reference.",
"modified": [
"References existing 469.049 as the baseline for port authority powers referenced in subdivision 1."
]
},
"citation": "469.049",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill states that the port authority may exercise powers related to a port authority granted to a city by sections 469.048 to 469.068 or other law; it is a cross-reference to existing statutes.",
"modified": [
"Cites range 469.048–469.068 as the source of port authority powers."
]
},
"citation": "469.048 to 469.068",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill states that the port authority may exercise the same powers as a municipal housing and redevelopment authority established under sections 469.001 to 469.047 or other law, with specific limitations.",
"modified": [
"Cites range 469.001–469.047 as the source of MHRA powers referenced for the port authority."
]
},
"citation": "469.001 to 469.047",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee