IRON RANGE HIGHER EDUCATION.

§ Subdivision 1. Creation of committee; purpose. A committee is created to advise the commissioner of Iron Range resources and rehabilitation on providing higher education programs in the taconite assistance area defined in section 273.1341 . The committee is subject to section 15.059 . § Subd. 2. Iron Range Higher Education Committee; membership. The members of the committee shall consist of: (1) one member appointed by the governor; (2) one member appointed by the president of the University of Minnesota; (3) four members of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board appointed by the chair; (4) the commissioner of Iron Range resources and rehabilitation; and (5) the president of the Northeast Higher Education District or its successor. § Subd. 3. Advisory function. The committee shall advise the commissioner regarding development of a contract with the state university system. The contract would require the system to provide courses within the taconite assistance area defined in section 273.1341 . § Subd. 4. Contract. The commissioner shall prepare a contract as described in subdivision 3 and submit it to the committee for review and recommendations for approval, disapproval, or modifications. At the conclusion of the review process, the commissioner shall enter into a contract with the state university system to provide the services. § Subd. 5. System approval. A program may not be offered under a contract executed according to this section unless it is approved by the board of the system offering the program. § Subd. 6. Per diem. Members of the committee may be reimbursed for expenses by the state from funds raised pursuant to section 298.22 .