Section 1 defines joint legislative delegation to mean all the members of the house and senate whose legislative district includes a portion of the three counties.

Section 2 authorizes a charter commission for Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne counties and the process for appointment of the commission.

Section 3 provides for the terms and administration of the charter commission, including a requirement that they meet within 30 days after the initial appointment, elect a chair from one of the members, establish rules for its operations and procedures. It provides that the members of the commission receive no compensation except for expenses incurred. Authorizes the three counties to make appropriations to the charter commission for expenses, that employees of the charter commission are in the unclassified service of one of the counties, and that the terms end when the final report is made under section 4.

Section 4, powers and duties of the charter commission include delivering a report to boards of the three counties, its recommendation as to whether a charter is not necessary or desirable or a draft of a proposed charter.

Section 5 provides for an election on the proposed charter in the general election of 2012 and for the ballot form of the election.

Section 6 provides for an effective date of two years after the election for the charter to take effect, and the charter is effective in each county that approves it in the election.

Section 7, local approval clause of the day after compliance with the local approval requirements.

DPM/syl

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