Statutes
MINNESOTA STATUTES § 15.0145 ETHNIC COUNCILS
Subd. 1. Three Ethnic Councils. Creation
(a) The Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs includes public members with an ethnic heritage from Mexico, any of the countries in Central or South America, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, or Puerto Rico.
(b) The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage includes public members of black African ancestry.
(c) The Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans includes public members with an ethnic heritage from any of the countries east of, and including, Afghanistan or the Pacific Islands.
Subd. 2. Membership.
(a) Each council has 15 voting members. Eleven members of each council are public members appointed by the governor. Four members of each council are legislators.
(b) The governor shall appoint 11 members of each council as follows:
(1) the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs must include one member representing each of the state's congressional districts and three members appointed at large. The council must include at least five women. The governor must attempt to ensure that the demographic composition of council members accurately reflects the demographic composition of Minnesota's Latino community, including recent immigrants, as determined by the state demographer;
(c) Four legislators are voting members of each council. The speaker of the house and the house minority leader shall each appoint one member to each council. The Subcommittee on Committees of the senate Committee on Rules and Administration shall appoint one member of the majority caucus and one member of the minority caucus to each council.
Subd. 6. Duties of Council
(a) A council must work for the implementation of economic, social, legal, and political equality for its constituency. The council shall work with the legislature and governor to carry out this work by performing the duties in this section.
(b) A council shall advise the governor and the legislature on issues confronting the constituency of the council. This may include, but is not limited to, presenting the results of surveys, studies, and community forums to the appropriate executive departments and legislative committees.
(c) A council shall advise the governor and the legislature of administrative and legislative changes needed to improve the economic and social condition of the constituency of the council. This may include but is not limited to working with legislators to develop legislation to address these issues and to work for passage of the legislation. This may also include making recommendations regarding the state's affirmative action program and the state's targeted group small business program, or working with state agencies and organizations to develop business opportunities and promote economic development for the constituency of the council.
(d) A council shall advise the governor and the legislature of the implications and effect of proposed administrative and legislative changes on the constituency of the council. This may include but is not limited to tracking legislation, testifying as appropriate, and meeting with executive departments and legislators.
(e) A council shall serve as a liaison between state government and organizations that serve the constituency of the council. This may include but is not limited to working with these organizations to carry out the duties in paragraphs (a) to (d), and working with these organizations to develop informational programs or publications to involve and empower the constituency in seeking improvement in their economic and social conditions.
(f) A council shall perform or contract for the performance of studies designed to suggest solutions to the problems of the constituency of the council in the areas of education, employment, human rights, health, housing, social welfare, and other related areas.
(g) In carrying out duties under this subdivision, councils may act to advise on issues that affect the shared constituencies of more than one council.
Subd. 7. Duties of council members.
A council member shall:
(1) attend and participate in scheduled meetings and be prepared by reviewing meeting notes;
(2) maintain and build communication with the community represented;
(3) collaborate with the council and executive director in carrying out the council’s duties; and
(4) participate in activities the council or executive director deem appropriate and necessary to facilitate the goals and duties of the council.
Other Relevant Statutes
