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Metro water group sunset extended Chapter 19 ( *HF834/SF515) allows the Metropoli- tan Council to continue to operate the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee through 2016, as described in MN Stat � 473.1565, subdivision 2. This applies only to the seven - county metro area. Effective retro- actively fr0iii Dec. 31, 2012. (CJ) 180 -day process for adopting organized collection replaced with 60 -day negotiation period Chapter 45 ( *SF510/HF128) eliminates the cumbersome 180 -day process for adopting organized collection, and replaces it with a 60 -day negotiation period between a city and its licensed collectors.The new process is designed to give the current collectors the first chance to develop a proposal for organized collection. If the 60 -day negotiation period ends without an agreement, a city can continue the process by adopting a resolution to form a committee to study organized collection and make recommendations. Cities that have already organized collection are exempt from the new law. Their current organized collection methods continue to govern. The steps for adopting organized solid waste collec- tion under the new law are as follows: • Notice to public and licensed collectors. Before forming a committee to study organized collection, a city with more than one licensed collector must notify the public and its licensed collectors that it is consider- ing organizing collection. The new law does not specify how notice should be provided.The League recom- mends providing both published notice and individual mailed notice to each licensed collector. Sixty -day negotiation period. After a city provides notice of its intent to consider organizing collection, it must provide a 60 -day negotiation period that is exclusive between the city and its licensed collectors.A city is not required to reach an agreement during this period. The purpose of the negotiation period is to allow licensed collectors to develop a proposal in which they, as members of an organization of collectors, collect solid waste from designated sections of the city. The proposal must addresses specific issues set out in the new law. • If an agreement is reached with a city's licensed col- lectors, it must be effective for three to seven years. The city must provide public notice and hold at least one public hearing before implementing the agree- ment. Organized collection cannot begin until at least six months after the effective date of the city's decision to implement organized collection. Committee formation. If a city does not reach an agreement with its licensed collectors during the negotiation period, it can form —by resolution —an "organized collection options committee" to study Attachment B various methods of organizing collection and issue a report. The city council appoints the committee members, and the committee is subject to the Open Meeting Law. The committee must examine different methods of organizing collection (two of which are specified in the law); establish a list of criteria for evaluating the different methods of collection; collect information from other cities and towns with organized collection; and seek input at a minimum from the city council, the local official responsible for solid waste issues, licensed solid waste and recycling collectors, and city residents. Public notice, public hearing, and implementa- tion. A city must provide public notice and hold at least one public hearing before deciding to implement organized collection. Organized collection cannot begin until at least six months after the effective date of the city's decision to implement organized collection. Effective May 8, 2013. (CJ) Environment trust fund projects Chapter 52 ( *HF1113/SF987) is the annual package of projects funded from the environment and natural resources trust fund, which is funded through lottery pro- ceeds. The Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) develops the recommendation for a wide range of research and projects related to the environ- ment. Several of this year's approved projects are of interest to cities. • County geologic atlases. Subd. 3(b) provides $1.2 million to the University of Minnesota to continue to accelerate completion of county geologic atlases. • Specified county geologic atlases. Subd. 3(c) pro- vides $1.2 million to the University of Minnesota for additional work on the county geologic atlases of Hous- ton and Winona Counties. • Wetland inventory. Subd. 3(d) provides $1 million to the Department of Natural Resources for continued work on a statewide wetland inventory. • Hydrogen generation from wastewater. Subd. 5(g) provides $240,000 to the University of Minnesota to research uses of selected bacteria and polymer mem- branes being used to generate hydrogen from wastewater. • Emerald ash borer. Subd. 6(c) provides $600,000 to the University of Minnesota and the Department of Agriculture to evaluate and implement detection options for emerald ash borer. Effective July 1, 2013. (CJ) Omnibus lands bill Chapter 73 ( *HF740/SF886) is the omnibus lands bill. Legislative approval is needed to authorize the sale of tax - forfeited parcels bordering public waters. The bill also con- tains some policy changes related to the acquisition and Page 24 League of Minnesota Cities