MN HF3470

Municipalities must establish separate accounts distinguishing fees that defray city costs from fees used for other purposes when imposing public utility license, permit, right, or franchise fees.

Municipalities must publish notice at least once weekly for two consecutive weeks in official publications and on their websites, and send notice to affected ratepayers explaining the fee's uses, estimated impact on utility bills, and alternative revenue sources.

Municipalities must provide a public comment opportunity at a regular meeting before imposing any revenue-raising portion of the fee, with a mandatory 90-day waiting period after the public comment meeting.

A petition signed by at least 5 percent of registered voters can trigger a referendum on the fee question, which must appear on the next general election ballot; the fee may proceed only if a majority of voters voting on the question approves it.

The effective date is the day after final enactment and applies to fees for licenses, permits, rights, or franchises issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2016.