SF1398 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Certain water and sewer districts addition to the definition of municipality
Related bill: HF1667
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- The bill expands which entities are treated as municipalities for purposes of certain state statutes, and it introduces a cap on tort liability for some water and sewer districts.
Main Provisions
- Redefines “Municipality” to include a broad set of entities beyond traditional cities and counties. Specifically, it adds:
- Water or sewer systems formed under chapter 116A
- Regional public libraries and library systems (public library, regional library system, multicounty/multitype library system)
- Special districts, school districts, county agricultural societies, and joint powers boards or organizations created under various statutes
- Local collaboratives whose plans have been approved by the Childrens Cabinet, including:
- Family services collaboratives established under section 142D.15
- Children’s mental health collaboratives established under sections 245.491 to 245.495
- Collaboratives formed by merging a children’s mental health collaborative with a family services collaborative
- Other political subdivisions, community action agencies, or limited partnerships where a community action agency is the sole general partner
- For purposes of sections 466.01 to 466.15, these added entities are treated as municipalities.
- The bill imposes a maximum tort liability for certain water and sewer districts (i.e., these districts would be subject to a cap on damages in lawsuits), though the specific cap amount is not shown in the excerpt provided.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Broadens the definition of “municipality” to include many nontraditional local government entities (e.g., water/sewer systems under chapter 116A, certain library systems, and various collaboratives and joint powers arrangements).
- Establishes a maximum tort liability for the newly included water and sewer districts, potentially limiting damages plaintiffs can recover in certain civil lawsuits against those districts.
- The changes are enacted by amending Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 466.01 subdivision 1 to redefine “Municipality” for the referenced sections (466.01 to 466.15).
How It Would Apply
- Entities listed in the revised definition would be governed by the same liability-related provisions as municipalities within the scope of sections 466.01 to 466.15.
- Water and sewer districts meeting the new criteria would have a capped liability exposure in tort actions, as defined by the bill.
Notes
- The exact numeric amount of the tort liability cap is not provided in the excerpt.
Relevant Terms - definition of Municipality - municipality means - water or sewer system formed under chapter 116A - joint powers board - regional public library system - multicounty library system - local collaboratives - family services collaboratives - childrens mental health collaboratives - Childrens Cabinet - community action agency - limited partnership - sole general partner - tort liability - maximum tort liability - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 466.01 subdivision 1 - sections 466.01 to 466.15
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 13, 2025 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| February 13, 2025 | Senate | Action | Referred to | State and Local Government |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Includes water or sewer system formed under chapter 116A in the definition of municipality.",
"Includes county agricultural societies formed under chapter 38.",
"Includes joint powers boards or organizations created under section 471.59 or other statutes.",
"Includes public libraries, regional public library systems, and multicounty multitype library systems.",
"Includes local collaboratives (e.g., family services collaboratives under section 142D.15, children's mental health collaboratives under sections 245.491–245.495, or collaboratives formed by mergers of these).",
"Includes other political subdivisions, community action agencies, or limited partnerships in which a community action agency is the sole general partner."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 466.01, subdivision 1, to redefine the term Municipality for purposes of sections 466.01 to 466.15, expanding the entities that qualify as a municipality to include water and sewer districts and related entities.",
"modified": [
"Defines municipality for purposes of sections 466.01 to 466.15; expands the scope of entities covered by the municipality definition."
]
},
"citation": "466.01",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes 424A.001, subdivision 1 as the definition of a relief association within the municipality definition.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "424A.001",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The definitions and scope cited in this bill apply to Minn. Stat. sections 466.01 through 466.15.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "466.01 to 466.15",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 116A (water or sewer systems formed under this chapter).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "116A",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 38 (county agricultural societies).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "38",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to section 471.59 (joint powers boards or organizations).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "471.59",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to section 142D.15 (Children's Cabinet approved family services collaboratives).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "142D.15",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to sections 245.491 to 245.495 (children's mental health collaboratives).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "245.491 to 245.495",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee