HF1500 Summary

• Town boards may hold a referendum on purchases or capital improvements costing $_____ or more in a year, or must hold one upon petition of at least 20 percent of electors.

• A special town meeting must be held within 30 days of receiving a valid petition from at least 20 percent of electors requesting the meeting, unless the petition requests a later date.

• Petitions must state the reason for the special town meeting, requested meeting date, alternative acceptable dates, and include printed names, addresses, and signatures of each elector signing.

• Failure to schedule a special town meeting for a properly filed petition for a lawful town purpose constitutes a failure to perform a duty under Minnesota Statutes section 609.43, clause (1).

• The 20 percent threshold is calculated based on the number of voters at the last general election.