HF515 - Bill Summary

• Eliminates mandatory staff development reserve revenue requirements under Minnesota Statutes section 122A.61 and makes staff development plans optional for school districts, while allowing districts that choose to implement plans to use up to two percent of basic revenue for staff development activities.

• Removes mandatory minimum funding requirements for county and city support of public library services by repealing section 134.34, while allowing regional public library districts to levy based on statewide averages or prior year funding levels.

• Removes the $3 per pupil unit minimum requirement for school districts to spend on licensed school counselors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and chemical dependency counselors from safe schools levy proceeds.

• Removes the requirement that school districts and exclusive representatives of employees negotiate and consider specific vendor criteria when selecting 403(b) annuity contract providers, making vendor selection discretionary rather than a bargaining term.

• Eliminates mandatory annual in-service training requirements for type III vehicle operators (non-school bus vehicles transporting students) while maintaining background checks, drug testing, and physical examination requirements.