This bill amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes to enable towns to adopt home rule charters, aligning their governance structures with those of cities. Key amendments include the introduction of definitions for "town" and "home rule charter town," which clarify the status of towns that have not adopted a charter. The bill establishes a process for towns to create a charter commission, detailing the appointment process, terms of service, and the commission's responsibilities, including the requirement to submit an annual report to the district court. It also outlines the procedures for proposing and adopting a home rule charter, including the need for a draft charter to be submitted to voters, public notice requirements, and ballot formatting. If a charter is rejected, the commission may propose new charters until one is adopted, and provisions for charter commission expenses ensure towns can fund necessary costs.

Additionally, the bill allows town boards of supervisors to propose charter amendments and hold public hearings on them, similar to city councils. It clarifies that towns organized under a home rule charter are the legal successors to their previous statutory organization, preserving all rights, penalties, and properties under the new charter. The bill also outlines the process for towns to revert to statutory status, requiring a transition plan for any proposal to abandon a charter and applying the same statutory provisions for home rule charter amendments to such proposals. Overall, these amendments aim to create parity between cities and towns in the governance and amendment of home rule charters, thereby enhancing local self-governance.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 410.015, 410.04, 410.06, 410.11, 410.12, 410.15, 410.20, 410.24, 410.30, 410.33