reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MN Stat § 103D.255 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.255 — Withdrawing Territory.

103D.255 WITHDRAWING TERRITORY. Subdivision 1. Petition. (a) Proceedings to withdraw territory from an existing watershed district must be initiated by a petition filed with the board. (b) The required signatures on a petition for withdrawal are the same as prescribed for an establishment petition, but the percentages must be calculated only with reference to the territory that is proposed to be withdrawn from the watershed district. (c) The petition must state that: (1) the territory described has not received or will not receive any benefits from the operation of the watershed districts; (2) the watershed district can perform the functions for which it was established without the inclusion of the territory; and (3) the territory is not, in fact, a part of the watershed. (d) The petition must request the release of the described territory from the watershed district. (e) The petition must be served on the board and any affected watershed district, and the board shall proceed as prescribed for an establishment petition. The requirements for notices and public hearings are as prescribed for the establishment petition. Subd. 2. Board's order of withdrawal. (a) After the hearing the board may issue an order releasing the territory, or a part of the territory, as described in the petition, if the board determines that: (1) the territory described in the petition has not received and will not receive any benefit from the operation of the watershed district; (2) the watershed district can perform the functions for which it was established without the inclusion of the territory; and (3) the territory is not, in fact, a part of the watershed. (b) Property may not be released that has been determined subject to benefits or damages for a project previously constructed. (c) Property released remains liable for the proportionate share of any indebtedness existing at the time of the order. Levies on the property released continue in force until fully paid. (d) If the board determines that the order prescribing the distribution of managers should be amended following the withdrawal of any territory, the board may direct redistribution of managers in the order authorizing the withdrawal. History:  1990 c 391 art 4 s 14; 1995 c 199 s 5
MN Stat § 103D.261 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.261 — Proceedings To Enlarge Watershed District.

103D.261 PROCEEDINGS TO ENLARGE WATERSHED DISTRICT. Subdivision 1. Petition. (a) Proceedings to enlarge an existing watershed district must be initiated by a petition filed with the board. The required signatures on a petition to enlarge are the same as for an establishment petition, but the percentages must be calculated only with reference to the territory that is proposed to be added to the watershed district. The petition must: (1) state that the area to be added is contiguous to the existing watershed district; (2) state that the area can be feasibly administered by the managers of the existing watershed district; (3) state reasons why adding the area to the existing watershed district would be conducive to the public health and welfare; (4) include a map of the affected area; (5) state the name of the proposed enlarged watershed district, if other than that of the existing watershed district; and (6) state a request for the addition of the proposed territory. (b) The petition must be served on the board and affected watershed districts, and the board must proceed as prescribed for an establishment petition. (c) The requirement of notice and public hearings is as prescribed for the establishment petition. Subd. 2. Board order. (a) After the hearing, if the board determines that the enlargement of the watershed district as asked for in the petition would be for the public welfare and public interest and the purpose of this chapter would be served, the board shall, by making findings and an order, enlarge the watershed district and file a certified copy of the findings and order with the secretary of state. (b) The name of the watershed district may be changed by order of the board if requested in the petition to enlarge the watershed district. Subd. 3. Distribution of managers in enlarged watershed district. If the enlarged watershed district affects more than one county, the distribution of the managers among the counties affected shall be as directed by the board in the order enlarging the watershed district. History:  1990 c 391 art 4 s 15; 1995 c 199 s 6
MN Stat § 103D.265 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.265 — Consolidating Districts.

103D.265 CONSOLIDATING DISTRICTS. Subdivision 1. Petition. (a) Proceedings for the consolidation of two or more watershed districts must be initiated by a petition filed with the board. (b) The petition must be signed by each watershed district affected and state: (1) the names of the watershed districts to be consolidated; (2) that the watershed districts are adjoining; (3) that the consolidated watershed districts can be feasibly administered as one watershed district; (4) the proposed name of the consolidated watershed district; (5) the reasons why it would be conducive to the public health, convenience and welfare to consolidate the watershed districts; and (6) a request for the consolidation. (c) The petition must be served and the board shall proceed as prescribed for an establishment petition. The requirement of notice and public hearings are as prescribed for the establishment petition. Subd. 2. Board's order and findings. (a) After the hearing, if the board determines that consolidation of the watershed districts as asked in the petition would serve the public welfare, public interest, and the purpose of this chapter, the board shall, by its findings and order, consolidate the watershed districts. (b) The board shall file a certified copy of the findings and order with the secretary of state. (c) The name of the watershed district may be changed by order of the board. Subd. 3. New managers. (a) The term of office of the managers of the consolidated watershed districts ends on the date of the order of consolidation. Distribution of the managers of the consolidated watershed district shall be as directed by the board in the order of consolidation. (b) Five managers of the consolidated watershed district must be appointed from the managers of the consolidated watershed districts. Their first term shall be for one year. After the first year, the managers must be appointed as provided in this chapter. Subd. 4. Watershed district assets and liabilities. (a) The real and personal property assets of the watershed districts involved and all legally valid and enforceable claims and contract obligations of the watershed districts pass to the new watershed district. (b) Levies on the property of the watershed districts consolidated continue in force until fully paid. (c) Property in the watershed districts remains liable for its proportionate share of indebtedness existing at the time of the order. Subd. 5. New plan. The watershed management plans of the watershed districts that were consolidated become the watershed management plan of the consolidated watershed district. History:   1990 c 391 art 4 s 16
MN Stat § 103D.301 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.301 — Distribution Of Manager Positions.

103D.301 DISTRIBUTION OF MANAGER POSITIONS. Subdivision 1. More than one affected county. If more than one county is affected by a watershed district, the board must provide that managers are distributed by residence among the counties affected by the watershed district. Subd. 2. More than five affected counties. If more than five counties are affected by a watershed district, the board may provide for the orderly distribution of the managers by identifying the manager areas within the watershed district and selecting the county board of commissioners for each manager's area to appoint a manager. Subd. 3. Redistribution. (a) After ten years from the establishment of the watershed district, the county board of commissioners of a county affected by the watershed district may petition the board to redistribute the managers. After holding a public hearing on redistributing the managers, the board may redistribute the managers among the counties affected by the watershed district if the redistribution is in accordance with the policy and purposes of this chapter. (b) A petition for the redistribution of managers may not be filed with the board more often than once in ten years. (c) If more than one county is affected by a watershed district, the board must distribute the one-, two-, and three-year terms among counties affected by the watershed district. History:   1990 c 391 art 4 s 18
MN Stat § 103D.305 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.305 — Increasing Number Of Managers.

103D.305 INCREASING NUMBER OF MANAGERS. Subdivision 1. Initiation. A proceeding to increase the number of managers of a watershed district must be initiated by filing a petition with the board. Subd. 2. Petition signatures. The petition to increase the number of managers must request the increase and be signed by one or more of the following groups: (1) one-half or more of the counties within the watershed district; (2) counties with 50 percent or more of the area within the watershed district; (3) a majority or greater number of the cities within the watershed district; (4) 50 or more resident owners residing in the watershed district, excluding resident owners within the corporate limits of a city if the city has signed the petition; or (5) the managers of the watershed district. Subd. 3. Hearing order. When the board receives a petition to increase the number of managers of a watershed district, the board must order a hearing on the petition. Subd. 4. Hearing notice. (a) The board must give notice of the hearing to increase the number of managers by publication in a legal newspaper published in counties affected by the watershed district. The last publication must occur at least ten days before the hearing. (b) The board must give notice of the hearing by mail to the auditors of counties and to the chief executive officials of municipalities affected by the watershed district. (c) The notice must include: (1) a statement that a petition to increase the number of managers of the watershed district has been filed with the board; (2) a general description of the purpose of the watershed district; (3) a general description of the property in the watershed district; (4) the date, time, and location of the hearing; and (5) a statement that all persons affected or interested in the watershed district may attend and give statements at the hearing. Subd. 5. Hearing. (a) If the board determines at the hearing that an increase in the number of managers would benefit the public welfare, public interest, and the purpose of this chapter, the board must increase the number of managers. (b) If the watershed district affects more than one county, the board, by order, must direct the distribution of the managers among the affected counties. History:  1990 c 391 art 4 s 19; 1995 c 199 s 9
MN Stat § 103D.311 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.311 — Appointing Managers.

103D.311 APPOINTING MANAGERS. Subdivision 1. Manager qualifications. A person may not be appointed as a manager who: (1) is not a voting resident of the watershed district; and (2) is a public officer of the county, state, or federal government, except that a soil and water conservation supervisor may be a manager. Subd. 2. Appointment. (a) At least 30 days before the terms of office of the first managers named by the board expire, the county commissioners of each county responsible for appointing a manager to the watershed district must meet and appoint successors. (b) The county commissioners must meet at least 30 days before the term of office of any manager expires and appoint a successor. (c) A vacancy occurring in an office of a manager must be filled by the appointing county board. (d) Appointing county boards shall provide public notice before making appointments. Published notice must be given at least once by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the watershed district at least 15 days before an appointment or reappointment is made. The notice must state that persons interested in being appointed to serve as a watershed district manager may submit their names to the county board for consideration. Subd. 3. Nominees for city-initiated and metropolitan watershed districts. (a) If the establishment petition that initiated the watershed district originated from a majority of the cities within the watershed district, the county commissioners must appoint the managers from a list of persons nominated by one or more of the townships and municipalities located within the watershed district. If the district is wholly within the metropolitan area, the county commissioners shall appoint the managers from a list of persons nominated jointly or severally by the towns and municipalities within the district. The list must contain at least three nominees for each manager's position to be filled. The list must be submitted to the county boards affected by the watershed district at least 60 days before the manager's term of office expires. The county commissioners may appoint any managers from towns and municipalities that fail to submit a list of nominees. (b) If the list is not submitted 60 days before the managers' terms of office expire, the county commissioners must appoint the managers from eligible persons residing in the watershed district. (c) Managers of a watershed district entirely within the metropolitan area must be appointed to fairly represent the various hydrologic areas within the watershed district by residence of the manager appointed. Subd. 4. Record of appointed managers. A record of all appointments made under this section must be filed with the county auditor of each county affected by the watershed district, the secretary of the board of managers, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources. History:  1990 c 391 art 4 s 20; 1990 c 601 s 3; 1992 c 466 s 1,2; 1995 c 199 s 10
MN Stat § 103D.321 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.321 — Principal Place Of Business

103D.321 PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS Subdivision 1. Unavailable public facilities. If public facilities are not available for a watershed district's principal place of business within the watershed district, the board shall determine and designate the nearest suitable public facility as the watershed district's principal place of business. Subd. 2. Change of principal place of business. (a) The managers may initiate a change of the principal place of business to a different location within the watershed district by passing a resolution stating the proposed change of location. After passing the resolution, the managers must set a time and location for a hearing on the change of the principal place of business. (b) The managers must give notice of the hearing by publication in a legal newspaper, published in the counties affected by the watershed district, with the last publication occurring at least ten days before the hearing. Notice of the hearing must be mailed to the auditors of counties affected by the watershed district ten days before the hearing. After the hearing, the managers may, by order, change the place of business. (c) The change of the principal place of business of the watershed district is effective when a certified copy of the managers' order is filed with the secretary of state and the board. History:  1990 c 391 art 4 s 22; 1995 c 199 s 14
MN Stat § 103D.325 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.325 — Employees.

103D.325 EMPLOYEES. Subdivision 1. Employment authority. The managers may employ a chief engineer, professional assistants, and other employees, and provide for their qualifications, duties, and compensation. Subd. 2. Bond. The managers may require an officer or employee of the watershed district to give a bond for the faithful performance of duties in an amount prescribed by the manager. The cost of the bond must be paid from the funds of the watershed district. Subd. 3. Chief engineer. The chief engineer is superintendent of all the works and improvements undertaken by the district. The chief engineer must make a full engineer's report to the managers each year, and more often if necessary. A copy of the engineer's report and all recommendations by the chief engineer must be transmitted to the managers and the director. Subd. 4. Credit card use. The managers may authorize the use of a credit card by any watershed district officer or employee otherwise authorized to make a purchase on behalf of the watershed district. If a watershed district officer or employee makes a purchase by credit card that is not approved by the managers, the officer or employee is personally liable for the amount of the purchase. A purchase by credit card must otherwise comply with all statutes, rules, or watershed district policy applicable to watershed district purchases. History:  1990 c 391 art 4 s 23; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 106
MN Stat § 103D.331 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.331 — Advisory Committee.

103D.331 ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Subdivision 1. Purpose. The managers must annually appoint an advisory committee to advise and assist the managers on all matters affecting the interests of the watershed district and make recommendations to the managers on all contemplated projects and improvements in the watershed district. Subd. 1a. Duties. For purposes of carrying out its duties under this section the advisory committee shall: (1) elect a chair from its membership; (2) elect a recorder from its membership; (3) establish a meeting schedule, which at a minimum meets annually; (4) consider issues pertinent to the functions and purposes of the watershed district; (5) review and comment on reports, minutes, activities, and proposed projects of the managers; and (6) report to the managers the general content of advisory committee meetings and resulting recommendations. Subd. 2. Members. (a) The advisory committee consists of at least five members. If practicable, the advisory committee members selected should include a representative from each soil and water conservation district, a representative of each county, a member of a sporting organization, and a member of a farm organization. Other advisory committee members may be appointed at the discretion of the managers. The members must be residents of the watershed district, except representatives from soil and water conservation districts and counties, and serve at the pleasure of the managers. (b) In addition, the managers may appoint other interested and technical persons who may or may not reside within the watershed district to serve at the pleasure of the managers. Subd. 3. Expense reimbursement. The managers may reimburse members of the advisory committee for actual traveling and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duties in the amount as provided for state employees. History:  1990 c 391 art 4 s 24; 1995 c 199 s 15
MN Stat § 103D.337 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.337 — Technical Advisory Committees.

103D.337 TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES. For a district wholly within the metropolitan area, the board of managers shall establish a technical advisory committee consisting of representatives of affected statutory and home rule charter cities, counties, and soil and water conservation districts. History:   1990 c 601 s 4
MN Stat § 103D.341 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.341 — Rules.

103D.341 RULES. Subdivision 1. Requirement. The managers must adopt rules to accomplish the purposes of this chapter and to implement the powers of the managers. Subd. 2. Procedure. (a) Rules of the watershed district must be adopted or amended by a majority vote of the managers, after public notice and hearing. Rules must be signed by the secretary of the board of managers and recorded in the board of managers' official minute book. (b) Prior to adoption, the proposed rule or amendment to the rule must be submitted to the board for review and comment. The board's review shall be considered advisory. The board shall have 45 days from receipt of the proposed rule or amendment to the rule to provide its comments in writing to the watershed district. Proposed rules or amendments to the rule shall also be noticed for review and comment to all public transportation authorities that have jurisdiction within the watershed district at least 45 days prior to adoption. The public transportation authorities have 45 days from receipt of the proposed rule or amendment to the rule to provide comments in writing to the watershed district. (c) For each county affected by the watershed district, the managers must publish a notice of hearings and adopted rules in one or more legal newspapers published in the county and generally circulated in the watershed district. The managers must also provide written notice of adopted or amended rules to public transportation authorities that have jurisdiction within the watershed district. The managers must file adopted rules with the county recorder of each county affected by the watershed district and the board. (d) The managers must mail a copy of the rules to the governing body of each municipality affected by the watershed district. Subd. 3. Rule affecting city; notice. A rule or resolution that affects land or water within the boundaries of a city is not effective within the city's boundaries until the governing body of the city is notified. History:  1990 c 391 art 4 s 26; 1995 c 199 s 21; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 107
MN Stat § 103D.345 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 103A - 114B — Water|Chapter 103D — Watershed Districts|Section 103D.345 — Permits.

103D.345 PERMITS. Subdivision 1. Application fee. A person applying for a permit required by the managers under a rule controlling the use and development of land in the floodplain, greenbelt, and open space areas of the watershed district must accompany the application with a permit application fee to defray the cost of recording and processing the application. The managers may set the fee not to exceed $10. Subd. 2. Field inspection fee. The managers may charge, in addition, a field inspection fee of at least $35. The inspection fee must be used to cover actual costs related to a field inspection. Inspection costs include investigation of the area affected by the proposed activity, analysis of the proposed activity, services of a consultant, and any required subsequent monitoring of the proposed activity. Costs of monitoring an activity authorized by permit may be charged and collected as necessary after issuance of the permit. Subd. 3. Government agencies exempt. The fees in subdivisions 1 and 2 may not be charged to the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision. Subd. 4. Bond. The managers may require an applicant for a permit to file a bond with the managers in an amount set by the managers and conditioned on performance by the applicant of authorized activities in conformance with the terms of the permit. Subd. 5. Applicability of permit requirements to state. A rule adopted by the managers that requires a permit for an activity applies to the Department of Transportation. Subd. 6. General permits. A watershed district may issue general permits for public transportation projects for work on existing roads. History:  1990 c 391 art 4 s 27; 1996 c 407 s 42; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 108