MN HF2797

Authorizes federally recognized Indian tribes and the Minnesota Historical Society to participate in joint powers agreements under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 471.59, subdivision 1.

Expands the definition of "governmental unit" to include federally recognized Indian tribes and the Minnesota Historical Society as eligible parties to joint powers agreements.

Allows two or more governmental units to jointly or cooperatively exercise powers common to the contracting parties or similar powers, including those outside their normal territorial limits.

Permits participating governmental units to delegate exercise of agreed-upon powers to one or more of the other participating units on their behalf.

Defines an "instrumentality of a governmental unit" as an entity with independent policy-making and appropriating authority.