Subd. 1. Establishment.

A Regent Candidate Advisory Council is established to assist the legislature in determining criteria for, and identifying and recruiting qualified candidates for membership on the Board of Regents.

Subd. 2. Membership.

The Regent Candidate Advisory Council shall consist of 24 members. Twelve members shall be appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the senate. Twelve members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Each appointing authority must appoint one member who is a student enrolled in a degree program at the University of Minnesota at the time of appointment. No more than one-third of the members appointed by each appointing authority may be current or former legislators. No more than two-thirds of the members appointed by each appointing authority may belong to the same political party; however, political activity or affiliation is not required for the appointment of any member. Geographical representation must be taken into consideration when making appointments. Section 15.0575 shall govern the advisory council, except that:

1. (1) the members shall be appointed to six-year terms with one-third appointed each even-numbered year; and
2. (2) student members are appointed to two-year terms with two students appointed each even-numbered year.

Subd. 3. Duties.

The advisory council shall:

1. (1) develop, in consultation with current and former regents and the administration of the University of Minnesota, a statement of the selection criteria to be applied and a description of the responsibilities and duties of a regent, and shall distribute this to potential candidates; and
2. (2) for each position on the board, identify and recruit qualified candidates for the Board of Regents, based on the background and experience of the candidates, and their potential for discharging the responsibilities of a member of the Board of Regents.

Subd. 4. Recommendations.

The advisory council shall recommend at least two and not more than four candidates. By March 15 of each odd-numbered year, the advisory council shall submit its recommendations to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives. The legislature shall not be bound by these recommendations.

Subd. 5. Support services.

The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide administrative and support services for the advisory council.