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Commission approves transfer plan to return Maple Plain relief association to local control
Summary
The commission adopted amended language to transfer assets and liabilities from the statewide volunteer firefighter fund to the Maple Plain Relief Association, honoring a near‑unanimous local vote and accelerating the transfer timetable, and recommended the bill for the omnibus pension bill.
Representative Robbins presented Senate File 3828 and House File 3512 (as amended) to effect a transfer of assets, liabilities and records from the statewide volunteer firefighter plan to the Maple Plain Fire Relief Association and to require a quicker transfer timeline than current statute provides.
Relief‑association members and Maple Plain officials said the membership voted overwhelmingly to withdraw special fund money from the statewide plan and to return governance locally. "We respectfully request support for the local decision that will treat all volunteer members in an equitable manner," Raye McCoy, speaking for the Relief Association, said.
State Auditor Julie Blaha testified she supports the negotiated agreement, saying the transfer better aligns with how the relief association historically functioned and honors local control. PARA’s executive director Doug Anderson said the PARA board had opposed administering the special legislation earlier but the adopted amendment removed any requirement for PARA to administer the special legislation.
The commission adopted the DE1 amendment, heard testimony from relief association and city representatives, and voted to recommend the amended bill for inclusion in the 2026 omnibus pension bill.
