MN SF4415

Establishes the Council on Central and Eastern European Affairs with 15 voting members: 11 public members appointed by the governor (at least 5 must be female) and 4 legislative members representing communities from countries including Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

Requires the council to advise the governor and legislature on issues facing Central and Eastern European communities, recommend policy changes, serve as a liaison between state government and community organizations, and conduct studies on education, employment, health, and housing.

Legislative Coordinating Commission appoints an executive director who serves in unclassified service; Commissioner of Administration provides administrative support and mandatory training on legislative process, open meeting law, and fiscal management.

Governor-appointed members limited to 8 years of service; members missing more than half of meetings in a 12-month period are automatically removed; annual reports due January 15 to legislative committees on state government operations.

Appropriates $700,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2027 for operations, staffing, and outreach, with ongoing base funding of $700,000 in fiscal year 2028.