8.4. SR 07-31-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Law summaries continued • Regulation of sale of local exchange service territory Chapter 191 requires the Minne- sota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to consent to the sale of local exchange service territory by a phone company possessing annual revenues of more than $100 million dollazs. Customers must be notified at least 90 days prior to the sale of the company's intent to sell. Customers must also be informed of the proposed buyer and the affected local exchange. MPUC must . hold a public hearing at least 30 days before deliberation to discuss the proposed sale. MPUC must not consent to the sale unless it establishes that at a minimum, the phone company has complied with quality of service standards for the previous year, the proposed buyer has the financial resources to maintain service quality, and there aze sufficiently trained employees to maintain required service levels. Commitments which require the buyer to maintain the minimum investment and staffing necessary to meet quality of service requirements and any other conditions, must be satisfied before MPUC consents to the sale. Provisions are effective December 31, 1995. Landlord made bill payer and customer of record on certain utility accounts Chapter 192 defines "single- metered residential building" as a multi-unit residential rental building where utility service for one or more separate living units and any common azeas is measured through one meter, and makes the owner of thesebuild- ings the bill payer and customer of record for leasehold contracts entered into or renewed after August 1, 1995. A failure, by an owner, to advise utility providers when service applies to single-metered residential buildings will constitute a violation of certain provisions of Minnesota landlord- tenant law. Legislation that did not become law Gary Carlson, Ann Higgins, Joel Jamnik, Andrea Atherton The 1995 legislative session was not short of ideas. Some would have had an adverse impact on municipal government, while a few would actually have benefitted cities and city officials. The following is a short list of ideas that will not become law. Be warned, all of these issues aze candidates for action by the 1996 legislature. • Property tax freeze • Reverse referenda on city and county property tax increases • Ethics reform bill • 1996 Presidential Primary • State primary in June • .Authorizing non-partisan election judges • .Absentee voting reforms • Non-partisan election judges • Two-year term of office • Term limits • Takings • Public investments bill • Elimination of bond interest tax-exempt status • Sprinklers in high-rises • Wetlands reforms • • Preemption of local authority to regulate the sale of tobacco • Preemption of local regulation of shooting ranges • Transportation funding/gas tax increase • Tort liability limit increases • Train whistles in the night • Minimum wage increase • Pay equity penalties • Full funding for state mandates • State government reorganization • Abolition of towns • Governor's $77 million aid cut • Salary cap for local officials • Constitutional amendment for school funding • Tax deferment for seniors • County and school approval for TIF • Annexation reforms • Local public employee pension plan modifications • Inclusion of certain area-wide homestead property value in metro area . • Regulation of government officials' entry onto private property LS 16 1995 Law Summaries