Minnesota Uniform Law Commissioners brief Judiciary committee on role, ask to maintain budget line

The Minnesota Uniform Law Commissioners told the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Feb. 12 that the group's volunteer drafting work helps states adopt consistent laws and asked the committee to maintain the commission's current budget line.

The commissioners gave a short overview of the Uniform Law Commission and its process and noted the group was requesting the same-level budget the governor recommended: $115,000 per year ($230,000 per biennium). "The Uniform Law Commission is an over 125-year-old nonprofit organization," Commissioner Kim Lowe said. She described the commission's multi-year study and drafting process that produces uniform acts that states may adopt.

Commissioner Michelle Timmons, who presented the budget details, said most of the state's request covers two cost centers: annual dues to the national commission (budgeted at $73,620 in year one and $77,300 in year two) and travel reimbursements for Minnesota commissioners to attend the annual meeting. The commissioners must attend the annual meeting to participate in drafting and to vote on proposed acts, Timmons said.

Timmons told the committee that Minnesota's per-state dues are based on population; larger states pay more. She said the commission expected a stable biennial request because Minnesota temporarily reduced reimbursed travel when a longtime commissioner signaled he would not travel in the upcoming biennium. "Because of that expected decrease in travel cost, we are able to manage with a same-level budget request," Timmons said.

Committee members asked about commissioner appointments and vacancies. Commissioners said Minnesota currently had an open appointed seat and a separate count of commissioners who hold life-member status based on prior long service; when a commissioner becomes a life member, the appointed seat they previously occupied opens for a new gubernatorial or judicial appointment.

Committee members voiced bipartisan support for the request and for the Uniform Law Commission's contributions; no committee action was taken at the hearing.

The commissioners—who serve as unpaid volunteers—asked that the existing budget line remain at the current level so Minnesota can continue its participation in national drafting and in-person annual meetings.

The committee did not vote on the request during the Feb. 12 session; the presentation was recorded for the committee's consideration in the budget process.