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HF4399 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Independent School District No. 535, Rochester; school board elections provided.

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

To update how Rochester Independent School District No. 535 conducts its school board elections and to specify rules for whether those elections are held by district or at large, along with how the transition between these methods works.

Main Provisions

  • Allows the district to establish election districts or to elect board members at large by board resolution.
  • If elections are at large:
    • The notice must state that positions 3 and 5 are to be filled.
    • Candidates may not file for more than one position.
    • Ballots must read: “For school board position number 3 of Independent School District No. 535 Rochester” or “For school board position number 5 of Independent School District No. 535.”
    • Names of candidates for each seat must be rotated on ballots to avoid bias toward incumbents, and incumbency shall not be indicated on the ballot.
  • Newly elected board members take office at the next regularly scheduled board meeting after they receive their certificates of election. The board may organize at that meeting even if the timing would normally require waiting under existing rules.
  • If the district changes from election by district to election at large or from at large to election by district:
    • Incumbents shall serve the full terms they were elected to under the prior system.
    • If switching to at-large, incumbents shall be assigned by lot to the numbered positions.
  • School board elections in ISD No. 535 Rochester shall follow Minnesota Statutes chapter 205A (including district organization provisions), and board membership is governed by Minnesota Statutes section 123B.09.

Changes to Existing Law

  • Amends Laws 1969, chapter 193, section 3 (as amended by Laws 1974, chapter 235, section 1 and Laws 1980, chapter 371, section 1) to implement these election rules for ISD No. 535 Rochester.
  • Classifies this as a special law enacted under the state constitution, applying specifically to Rochester’s district elections.
  • Aligns ISD 535 Rochester’s election framework with current state election statutes (205A) and school board governance (123B.09).

Transitional and Implementation Details

  • Incumbents switching to a different election method (district vs. at large) must complete their existing terms.
  • Incumbents in a transition to at-large elections are to be allocated to specific numbered positions by lot.

Authority and Scope

  • Applies specifically to Independent School District No. 535 Rochester.
  • Falls under special-law provisions and authorizes the district to determine and implement its election method under the described rules.

Relevant Terms

  • Independent School District No. 535 Rochester (ISD 535 Rochester)
  • school board elections
  • election by district
  • election at large
  • positions 3 and 5
  • candidates may not file for more than one position
  • ballots rotated / incumbency not indicated
  • newly elected take office at next regular meeting
  • certificates of election
  • Minnesota Statutes chapter 205A
  • Minnesota Statutes section 123B.09
  • 123.34 subdivision 1
  • by lot (assignment) to numbered positions
  • special law
  • Article XII section 2 (constitutional basis)

Bill text versions

Past committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 16, 2026HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toEducation Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill requires Independent School District No. 535 Rochester school board elections to be conducted in accordance with Minnesota Statutes chapter 205A.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "205A",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "School board membership for IDS 535 Rochester is to be governed by Minnesota Statutes section 123B.09.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "123B.09",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes section 123.34, subdivision 1, the board may organize at the meeting rather than at the time required by subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "123.34",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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