MN HF1823

Proposes amendment to Minnesota Constitution Article IV, Section 9, transferring legislative salary-setting authority from the legislature to an independent council effective upon voter approval.

Creates an independent Compensation Council composed of eight non-judges appointed by the Chief Justice and members appointed by the governor (one per congressional district), with strict political party balance and prohibitions on current/former legislators and lobbyists.

Removes legislators from the current Compensation Council membership, which previously included appointments from the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leaders of both chambers.

Council must prescribe legislative salaries by March 31 of each odd-numbered year, with changes taking effect July 1 of that year, and must consider all other legislative compensation provided by the state.

Constitutional amendment question to be submitted to voters at the 2016 general election; statutory changes in sections 3-5 become effective January 1, 2017, only if voters approve the amendment.