Committee advances Met Council reform bill after adopting DE2 amendment

The Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee on Monday adopted an amendment to House File 1329 and recommended the bill to pass, sending it to the General Register by a 6-5 roll-call vote.

Representative John Kosnick, author of HF1329, told the committee the bill "deals with Met Council reform," adding the measure introduces staggered terms and creates a nominating committee intended to increase accountability and local input in selections to the Metropolitan Council.

The DE2 amendment, which the committee adopted before final passage, would: introduce staggered terms for Met Council members; require public notice (including electronic notice) to local governments about vacancies; establish a 15-member nominating committee composed of three gubernatorial appointees, five…