H.F. No. 1221 - Bill Summary

• Any Minnesota town may prepare and adopt a home rule charter through a process initiated by district court order, petition of 10% of registered voters, or town board resolution.

• A charter commission of 7-15 members, appointed by the chief judge, frames the charter and must submit annual reports; commission members serve staggered 6-year terms with vacancies filled by the judge.

• Draft charters must specify town name, boundaries, and town board organization; voters must approve adoption by 51% majority at a general or special election with the full charter published in newspapers.

• Charter amendments may be proposed by the charter commission (requiring 5% voter petition signatures), town board (subject to commission review), or by ordinance with commission recommendation, taking effect 30 days after election approval.

• Towns may abandon a home rule charter and revert to general law status through a proposal process similar to charter amendments, including transition provisions for officer terms.