Committee adopts amendment and sends Rochester election-change bill to general register

The committee heard House File 43-99, a measure asked for by the Rochester Public Schools Board to repeal a 1974 special-law requirement that forces Rochester to use a lane or run-in system for at-large board elections.

Representative Liebling moved the A2 author's amendment, which staff described as allowing Rochester to use the statutory process (section 205A.12) available to other districts even though current statute excludes cities of the first class. Kathy Nathan, chair of the Rochester Public Schools Board, testified the lane system forces candidates to file for specific numbered seats even though all members represent the same constituency, creating voter confusion and distorting outcomes. "The change called for by this bill will better serve our voters. It aligns Rochester with a standard election framework used statewide. It costs the state and the district absolutely nothing, and it is completely nonpartisan," Nathan said.

Members asked clarifying questions about the implementation and effective date; Nathan said the school board must still pass a resolution to adopt any local change after legislative approval. The A2 amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the committee re‑referred HF43-99 as amended to the general register by voice vote.

There was no roll-call vote recorded in the transcript; members expressed bipartisan support during discussion. The bill will proceed to the general register for further action.