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HF 1475

Metropolitan Council abolished, duties transferred to commissioners of administration and natural resources, transportation and transit-related functions transferred to Department of Transportation, metropolitan area sanitary sewer district created, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Keith Allen and 24 co-sponsors

The bill abolishes the Metropolitan Council and transfers its governance duties to the Administration and Natural Resources commissioners, MnDOT, and a new metropolitan sanitary se

Author added Niska
#metropolitanarea #sewersandsepticsystems #transportationandtransportationdepartment
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 1475

Summary of HF 1475 (2025-2026) – Metropolitan Council Abolished; Duties Transferred; New Metropolitan Sanitary Sewer District; Related Provisions

Note: This summary focuses on the substantive changes proposed by HF 1475, including the main purpose, key provisions, who/what is affected, and timelines or procedural aspects.

Overall purpose and intent

  • The bill proposes a major reorganization of regional government in Minnesota:
    • Abolish the Metropolitan Council.
    • Transfer its duties to the commissioners of Administration and Natural Resources (for general administrative functions) and to the Department of Transportation (for transportation and transit-related functions).
    • Create a new metropolitan area sanitary sewer district.
    • Reassign or repeal various statutes that currently reference the Metropolitan Council and related metropolitan agencies.
    • Reallocate powers and authorities to new or existing state and regional entities.
    • Establish funding mechanisms and appropriate money to support the transition.

Key provisions and changes

Abolishment and transfer of duties

  • Article 1: Abolishes the Metropolitan Council.
    • The Metropolitan Council’s functions related to governance and planning in the seven-county Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area would be transferred to:
    • Commissioners of Administration and Natural Resources for general governance/administration aspects.
    • Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for transportation and transit-related functions.
  • Repeals or amends statutory references to the Metropolitan Council and metropolitan agencies where applicable, effectively removing Metropolitan Council status and replacing with new governance structures.

New or redefined entities

  • Creation of a metropolitan area sanitary sewer district.
    • Establishes a new district with authority to oversee sanitary sewer systems within the metropolitan area.
    • Implications for regional wastewater planning, financing, rate setting, and asset management.
  • Reallocation of powers to other bodies
    • Metropolitan Council powers and authority (as previously held) would be distributed to the new framework (Department of Transportation, commissioners of Administration and Natural Resources, and the newly created sanitary sewer district).
    • Some statutory references to metropolitan agencies or “metropolitan governmental units” are redefined to reflect the new structure.

Conforming amendments and cross-references

  • Numerous amendments to Minnesota Statutes (e.g., sections 4A.02, 6.80, 10.60, 16A.88, 16C.073, 16C.285, 43A.346, 47.52, 115A. etc.) to:
    • Remove or alter references to the Metropolitan Council or metropolitan agencies.
    • Reclassify certain entities as metropolitan agencies or public entities under the revised framework.
    • Adjust definitions (e.g., “Metropolitan governmental unit,” “Metropolitan agency,” “Public entity,” “Copier paper,” etc.) to align with the new organizational structure.
  • Public safety radio communications and fiscal disparity law references are amended to reflect the absence of the Metropolitan Council and the transfer of duties.

Fiscal and debt considerations

  • The bill provides for payment of bonds and other debt obligations in connection with the transition away from the Metropolitan Council.
  • Appropriations are made to support the new structure and to ensure continuity of services during the transition.

Affected entities and groups

Primary

  • Metropolitan Council (to be abolished).
  • Metropolitan Airports Commission (oversight changes anticipated; status redefined).
  • Metropolitan agencies and metropolitan-related regional authorities previously under Metropolitan Council purview.

Secondary

  • Department of Transportation (MnDOT) assumes transportation/transit functions.
  • Commissioners of Administration and Natural Resources assume certain administrative duties formerly handled by the Metropolitan Council.
  • Municipalities and county governments within the seven-county metropolitan area, along with regional planning activities impacted by the shift in governance.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill outlines a phased transition approach:
    • Immediate abolition of the Metropolitan Council’s status upon enactment or as specified in the statute.
    • Transfer of duties to designated state agencies (Administration, Natural Resources, MnDOT) and the new sanitary sewer district.
    • Establishment of timelines for transferring responsibilities, assets, contracts, and ongoing programs.
  • Several sections establish how data, records, and authority transition will occur, including amendments to definitions and cross-references in state statutes to reflect the new governance structure.
  • Bond and debt provisions indicate a mechanism to settle financial obligations arising from the transition.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Governance: A substantial reorganization of regional planning and infrastructure governance in the Twin Cities metro area.
  • Services: Potential changes in how transportation planning, transit operations, and sanitary sewer services are managed, financed, and overseen.
  • Fiscal: Transitional funding, debt settlement, and possible long-term changes in budgeting for regional projects.
  • Legal/administrative: Widespread statutory amendments to remove Metropolitan Council references and to redefine metropolitan governmental units and public entities.

If you’d like, I can provide:
- A section-by-section mapping of HF 1475 provisions to their current statutory counterparts.
- A quick comparison table showing what changes for each major function (transportation, sanitation, planning, airports).
- A timeline draft with key milestones for implementation and transition.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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