The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 15.0145, by adding a new subdivision that establishes a pool of alternate members for the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans. Each council will appoint two alternate members for every regular member, creating a two-to-one alternate-to-member ratio. These alternates will serve to ensure a quorum and active participation in council activities when regular members are absent. The governor will appoint these alternates, who must meet the same eligibility and diversity criteria as regular members, and they will be encouraged to attend meetings as non-voting participants when not filling in for a regular member.

The bill outlines the terms of service for alternate members, including serving the same term lengths as regular members and being rotated into active service when needed. It also specifies that alternate members will assume full voting rights when filling in for regular members and that councils must track attendance and participation. If a regular member's seat becomes vacant, an alternate will temporarily take their place until a new appointment is made. Additionally, councils are required to submit an annual report detailing the use and impact of alternate members. The provisions of this bill will take effect the day following its final enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 15.0145