In accordance with a new law in the state of Minnesota, cities with electronic notification systems are required to provide a 10-day notice of most proposed ordinances. After being signed into law by Governor Dayton on May 23, 2017, this measure became effective on August 1, 2017. This law is the result of a bill that was introduced in both 2015 and 2016. Subject to substantial revision, the bill initially proposed a 15-day notification requirement and also included counties in addition to cities. In 2017, however, the county requirement was removed from the bill and the city notice requirement was reduced to a 10-day period.
The Requirements of the Law
To understand what is required by this law, it is first important to understand the exact ordinances to which the law applies. If the law applies, at least 10 days before a city council schedules a final vote on the proposed amendment or ordinance, the city must perform several steps:
- Email Notification. Provide email notification of proposed ordinances if the city has an electronic notification system that distributes general city information or notices by email. Cities with electronic notification systems are also required to allow individuals to subscribe to digitally to receive proposed ordinance notifications through email. While it is outside the scope of the recent law, cities without these systems still must post notice of a proposed ordinance in the same manner and place as other public notices. Cities without electronic notification systems are not required to establish systems.
- Informing Individuals. Also, if a city has an electronic notification system, the city is required to inform individuals who apply for either license renewals or new business licenses of these notification procedures.
Cities who fail to comply with these measures will be forced to pay fines. Failure to follow these laws, however, will not invalidate an adopted or amended ordinance.
Response to Minnesota’s New Notification Law
There has been some opposition to this new law. Some groups have argued that the 10-day notice requirement has the potential to result in the delay of cities in adopting ordinances. These delays are most likely to occur in cities with limited staffing. Additionally, opposition to the law has argued that cities that meet on a bi-weekly basis are likely to have little time to draft an ordinance if a city council requests the ordinance for an upcoming meeting.
Obtain the Assistance of a Skilled Attorney
This recent law is just one of many requirements that cities in Minnesota must follow when passing a new ordinance. In situations in which cities do not properly follow these measures, it can prove important to obtain the assistance of a skilled attorney. The attorneys at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys have the experience necessary to help with your case. Contact the firm online or by calling 701-235-8000 or toll-free at 877-235-8002.
