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Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Page 3 of 4 The symbolic gesture is related to the importance that Representative Johnson has ascribed to his reform bill. The practical reality is that the bill will be heard in several committees, so it must move at an accelerated pace in order to meet committee deadlines and pass the Legislature this session. The Johnson bill will likely be the primary "vehicle" for a final bill. The League, AMM and others are drafting a series of amendments intended to modify and moderate the Johnson bill as it proceeds through the committee process. City advocates have been meeting with several legislators, many more than once, to express our reservations about the Johnson bill and the impact it could have on future development and redevelopment activities. Most have expressed an appreciation for the municipal point of view,but almost all expect that an eminent domain reform bill of some type will pass both the House and Senate this year, and almost all have indicated they will support a reform bill. A second reform bill drafted by LMC and AMM staff, city officials and other stakeholders will be introduced later this week. The bill will be authored in the House by Representative Peter Nelson (R-Lindstrom) and in the Senate by Don Betzold (D-Fridley). The bill, HF 2895, focuses on a more open public process, increased compensation for business reestablishment, a more descriptive definition of blight,the elimination of eminent domain for strictly tax base enhancement or job creation, and a sunset date for the restrictions. Previous versions of this bill have been available through AMM News and have been described at two meetings held in St. Louis Park and Oakdale. While we are relatively confident that this bill will receive a hearing in both the House and Senate, we do not expect the bill to pass. Rather, its ultimate value may be as a relatively comprehensive menu of potential amendments to the Johnson/Bakk bills. The print and broadcast media has been covering eminent domain extensively since the Kelo vs. New London Connecticut Supreme Court decision of last summer. There will be plenty of media attention as the issue moves through the legislative process, as well. MNDOT `Roundabout' conference There has been an increased interest in roundabouts as an alternative to signaled intersections,both nationally and by local communities in Minnesota. The MN Department of Transportation (MNDOT) will hold a two-day conference on this subject on April 5-6,2006 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Park. The conference agenda and registration details are available at the Center for Transportation Studies' website at http://www.cts.umn.edu/events/roundabouts/ "Immigrants in Minnesota: three perspectives" The Council of Metropolitan Area Leagues of Women Voters (CMAL) is sponsoring a free public forum on the immigration debate that is occurring in both St. Paul and Washington, D.C. The issue may involve cities and our relationship with state and federal public safety and homeland security agencies in a variety of ways. The three panelists will be: 1) David Gaither—Chief of Staff to Governor Pawlenty 2) Bishop Peter Rogness—St. Paul Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America http://www.amm 145.org/Newsletter.htm 2/28/06