Thanks to Ann Higgins for the heads up. I will try to attend this meeting. I’m passing on what I know as early as I can in case others want to attend. Here is the agenda:

WEDNESDAY, May 11, 2011
2:30 PM
Meeting Time Note: The committee will meet until 4:30 p.m.
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joe Hoppe

Agenda: HFXXXX (Hoppe) Telecom Access Reform
HF1637 and HF343 will be acted upon but not passed out of committee. HF610 is an informational hearing.
HF1637 (Daudt) Transaction agents required to disclose information on lenders for residential mortgage loans, and additional data required in foreclosure notices.
HF343 (Atkins) Identity theft and related fraudulent activity enforcement capabilities enhanced.
HF997 (Westrom) State agency civil penalty imposition regulated, and fees and expenses awarded to prevailing parties in actions involving state agencies.
HF610 (Hilty) Transportation funding provided through new regulations governing checkbook money created by state-chartered banks, and penalty provided.

Here’s a bit on the first item, which I think it of greatest interest to readers…

The first bill on the agenda is HFXXXX (Hoppe), a bill not yet introduced, that contemplates comprehensive changes to Chapter 237, including repeal of Minn. Stat. 237.19 relating to municipal telecommunications authority.  Provisions also exist in Section 16 of Article 1 that propose how and under what terms and conditions municipalities would be authorized to own and operate telecommunications networks and services, including provisions requiring local voter approval (by majority vote when no other local exchange service provider is available or a two-thirds vote to approve entry when an incumbent local exchange service provider operates within the city.

Provisions on municipal telecom entry and service are found in Sections 11 – 12 and related sections  of Article 1 starting on page 16, line 19.