# Reclaim Local Control Act *Proposed federal bill (H.R. 10493, 119th Congress, 2d Session) on the structure of metropolitan planning organizations designated under title 23, United States Code.* The **Reclaim Local Control Act** (H.R. 10493) is a bill introduced in the United States House of Representatives on September 17, 2026. Representative [[Tom Emmer]] introduced it for himself and Representatives [[Pete Stauber]], [[Michelle Fischbach]] and [[Brad Finstad]], and it was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.[^1] Its operative section covers any metropolitan planning organization designated under section 134(d) of title 23 that is composed entirely of gubernatorial appointees on the date of enactment. Within one year, such a body would have to be redesignated or restructured.[^2] The bill names no body. Its four sponsors are members of [[Minnesota]]'s Republican House delegation.[^3] On April 21, 2026, Emmer sent a letter to the [[Metropolitan Council (Minnesota)]] opposing its use of a "Community Consideration" component in awarding transportation funding.[^4] His office describes the Council as "a policy-making board of 17 members appointed by the governor."[^7] The record assembled here does not establish that the Council is a metropolitan planning organization designated under section 134(d). It also does not establish that the bill was drafted with the Council in view. The bill's short title speaks of reclaiming local control.[^5] Its one operative provision is a federal requirement on a class of planning bodies defined by the appointing authority of their members.[^2] The published text is the introduced version (IH). The record assembled here shows no action after referral to committee.[^1] ## Who The bill's face lists Mr. Emmer as sponsor, with Mr. Stauber, Mrs. Fischbach and Mr. Finstad.[^1] A May 26, 2023 release from Emmer's office identifies Emmer (MN-06), Fischbach (MN-07), Stauber (MN-08) and Finstad (MN-01) as Minnesota Republicans. It refers to them as "the Minnesota Republican House delegation."[^3] One co-sponsor has a related House record. On January 3, 2025, Fischbach offered H. Res. 5, the rules package for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress. Section 2(f) of that resolution, headed "Striking Office of Diversity and Inclusion," struck clause 9 of rule II.[^6] The record assembled here shows no Democratic co-sponsor. It also contains no statement from the Metropolitan Council or the governor's office responding to the April 2026 letter.[^1][^4] ## What Section 1 gives the short title, "Reclaim Local Control Act."[^5] The bill's long title states its subject as "To apply certain requirements for the structure of metropolitan planning organizations designated under title 23, United States Code, and for other purposes."[^5] Section 2 applies to any metropolitan planning organization designated under 23 U.S.C. § 134(d) "that is composed entirely of gubernatorial appointees as of such date of enactment." Such a body must be either "redesiganted pursuant to paragraph (6) of such section" or "restructured to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2) of such section."[^2] The misspelling "redesiganted" appears in the published text.[^2] The text of paragraphs (2) and (6) of section 134(d) is not in the record assembled here, so this article does not state what they require. ## When The bill was introduced and referred on September 17, 2026, in the second session of the 119th Congress.[^1] Its deadline runs "Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act." Coverage is fixed by a body's composition on the date of enactment.[^2] ## Where The bill's text applies to any qualifying metropolitan planning organization in the United States. It does not name a state or region.[^2] The Minnesota body in Emmer's April 2026 letter is the Metropolitan Council. According to his office, the Council oversees planning in the [[Minneapolis]]–St. Paul metropolitan area, covering 181 cities and townships and seven counties. Two of those counties, Anoka and Carver, lie in the Sixth Congressional District.[^7] ## Why The bill states no reason for its gubernatorial-appointee criterion beyond its long title.[^5] The record does not establish why that criterion was chosen. The reasons stated in the record come from Emmer's April 21, 2026 release, which concerns the Council's funding criteria rather than its structure. The release states that the Council's *2026 Federal Funding Solicitation Guidance* includes a "Community Consideration" component in deciding which transportation projects receive funding, including federal funds.[^4] It calls that component "DEI in disguise." It states that the component "appears to be in violation of federal guidelines that require funds to be awarded based on merit." It also states that the Council declined a county's request for the U.S. Department of Transportation to review the criteria.[^4] Emmer is quoted: "DEI should not be considered when determining funding for transportation projects."[^4] The Council's own description of the component is not in the record assembled here. ## How The bill would act through two alternative routes: redesignation under paragraph (6) of section 134(d), or restructuring under paragraph (2).[^2] It is pending in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.[^1] ## How many - The bill has four named sponsors and two sections.[^1][^2] - It sets a one-year deadline after enactment.[^2] - According to Emmer's office, the Metropolitan Council has 17 members appointed by the [[governor]] and covers 181 cities and townships and seven counties.[^7] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - **Metropolitan Council.** Emmer's office describes it as a 17-member board appointed by the governor. The board oversees planning of communities, housing, parks, transportation, wastewater and water in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area.[^7] - **Governor.** Governor [[Tim Walz]] was the addressee of a November 19, 2025 letter from the Minnesota Republican congressional delegation.[^8] - **Attorney General.** Attorney General [[Keith Ellison]] and Assistant Attorney General Nick Pladson are listed as counsel for the State on the civil cover sheet in *United States of America v. State of Minnesota*.[^9] ### What **Transportation funding.** Emmer's April 2026 letter opposed the Council's proposal to use [[Diversity, equity, and inclusion]] in awarding transportation funding.[^4] The same release lists two projects the Council has supported, the [[Northstar commuter rail line]] and the Blue Line Light Rail Extension. Emmer opposed both. According to the release, he and the rest of the state's Republican congressional delegation sent letters opposing funding for them to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development in 2025 and 2026.[^7] **Pending federal action on state employment.** On January 14, 2026, the United States filed *United States of America v. State of Minnesota*, No. 0:26-cv-00273, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. The case was brought through the Civil Rights Division of the [[United States Department of Justice]] under Section 707 of [[Title VII]] of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]], and the filing requests a three-judge court.[^10] The complaint alleges that, by following its statutory and regulatory [[Affirmative action]] mandate, Minnesota as an employer is engaged in "a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of rights secured by Title VII."[^11] Its documentary predicate is state law: - [[Minn. Stat. § 43A.19]], subd. 1(a), which requires "a statewide affirmative action program";[^11] - Minn. R. 3905.0100, which requires "consideration of affirmative action goals on all staffing and personnel decisions";[^11] - the definition of protected groups in Minn. Stat. § 43A.02, subd. 33, as "females, persons with disabilities, and members of the following minorities: Black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaskan native";[^12] - the requirement in [[Minn. Stat. § 43A.191]], subd. 3(c), that hiring managers justify non-affirmative-action hires where a protected group is underutilized.[^13] The complaint states that [[Minnesota Management and Budget]] oversees the statewide program.[^12] As an example, the complaint attaches [[Minnesota Department of Human Services]] Hiring Justification Policy No. 4100.250, effective August 12, 2025. The policy states its purpose as "to ensure DHS meets affirmative action responsibilities to comply with state statutes." It provides that a hiring supervisor "cannot make an offer of employment to a non-underrepresented candidate" for a vacancy in a job category with underrepresentation until a hiring justification is approved.[^14] The complaint alleges that Minnesota "identifies no prior or present discrimination to justify" its race- and sex-conscious employment policies.[^15] It seeks a declaratory judgment, a permanent injunction, and equitable relief for affected employees and applicants.[^16] The record assembled here contains no answer and no ruling, so the action is stated as pending. The record also does not show when, or by which [[Legislature]] and governor, the cited provisions were enacted or last amended. **Title IX.** According to Emmer's office, the [[U.S. Department of Education]] and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on September 30, 2025, that the [[Minnesota State High School League]] and the [[Minnesota Department of Education]] were in violation of [[Title IX]]. The release dates the underlying investigation to June 12, 2025. The agencies' announcement itself is not in the record assembled here.[^8] The release quotes the League's policy as one that "allows participation for all students consistent with their gender identity or expressions." It states that the Walz administration did not offer a "substantive response" during the federal government shutdown.[^8] **University of Minnesota internship.** On May 26, 2023, Emmer, Fischbach and Stauber joined a letter led by Finstad, with Representative Burgess Owens of Utah. The letter went to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon. It concerned a [[University of Minnesota]] undergraduate internship program whose listed eligibility requirement was to "identify as a Student of Color or Native American," and it cited [[Title VI]].[^17] Emmer is quoted as stating that the University "will now allow students of all races to apply."[^17] ### When - May 26, 2023: letter to the U.S. Department of Education on the University of Minnesota internship program.[^17] - January 3, 2025: Fischbach offers H. Res. 5, including the striking of the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion.[^6] - September 30, 2025: Title IX finding announced, as reported by Emmer's office.[^8] - November 19, 2025: delegation letter to Governor Walz.[^8] - January 14, 2026: *United States of America v. State of Minnesota* filed.[^10] - April 21, 2026: Emmer letter to the Metropolitan Council.[^4] - September 17, 2026: Reclaim Local Control Act introduced.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: U.S. Government Publishing Office, *H.R. 10493, Reclaim Local Control Act (Introduced in House)* (September 17, 2026) — introduction date, 119th Congress 2d Session, sponsor and co-sponsors, referral to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, introduced (IH) version. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr10493ih/html/BILLS-119hr10493ih.htm [^2]: U.S. Government Publishing Office, *H.R. 10493, Reclaim Local Control Act (Introduced in House)*, sec. 2 (September 17, 2026) — text of the structure requirement, one-year deadline, redesignation and restructuring alternatives, published spelling. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr10493ih/html/BILLS-119hr10493ih.htm [^3]: Office of Rep. Tom Emmer, *Emmer, Minnesota Republicans Call for Investigation into Taxpayer-Funded University Internship Program* (May 26, 2023) — identifies Emmer, Fischbach, Stauber and Finstad and their districts as the Minnesota Republican House delegation. https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-minnesota-republicans-call-for-investigation-into-taxpayer-funded-university-internship-program [^4]: Office of Rep. Tom Emmer, *Emmer Condemns MET Council's DEI Practices* (April 21, 2026) — Emmer's letter to the Metropolitan Council; the release's account of the "Community Consideration" component and the declined review request; Emmer's statement. https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-condemns-met-council-s-dei-practices [^5]: U.S. Government Publishing Office, *H.R. 10493, Reclaim Local Control Act (Introduced in House)*, long title and sec. 1 (September 17, 2026) — long title and short title. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr10493ih/html/BILLS-119hr10493ih.htm [^6]: U.S. Congress, *Congressional Record — House*, vol. 171, pp. H8–H12 (January 3, 2025) — Mrs. Fischbach offers H. Res. 5, rules of the House for the 119th Congress; sec. 2(f) strikes the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. https://www.govinfo.gov/link/crec/171/h/10 [^7]: Office of Rep. Tom Emmer, *Emmer Condemns MET Council's DEI Practices*, Background (April 21, 2026) — Council membership and appointment, areas of oversight, coverage of 181 cities and townships and seven counties, Northstar and Blue Line opposition letters of 2025 and 2026. https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-condemns-met-council-s-dei-practices [^8]: Office of Rep. Tom Emmer, *Emmer, Minnesota Republican Delegation Call on Gov. Walz to Adhere to Title IX and Keep Boys Out of Girls' Sports* (November 19, 2025) — letter to Governor Walz; release's account of the September 30, 2025 ED/HHS announcement and the June 12, 2025 investigation; MSHSL policy text as quoted. https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-minnesota-republican-delegation-call-on-gov-walz-to-adhere-to-title-ix-and-keep-boys-out-of-girls-sports-1 [^9]: U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, *Civil Cover Sheet, United States of America v. State of Minnesota*, No. 0:26-cv-00273, Doc. 1-3 (filed January 14, 2026) — counsel listed for the State. https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1423361/dl [^10]: U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, *Complaint, United States of America v. State of Minnesota*, No. 0:26-cv-00273, Doc. 1, caption and ¶¶ 14–18 (filed January 14, 2026) — filing date, court, docket, Title VII Section 707 basis, three-judge court request. https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1423361/dl [^11]: U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, *Complaint, United States of America v. State of Minnesota*, No. 0:26-cv-00273, Doc. 1, ¶¶ 12–13 (filed January 14, 2026) — Minn. Stat. § 43A.19, subd. 1(a), and Minn. R. 3905.0100 as quoted; pattern-or-practice allegation. https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1423361/dl [^12]: U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, *Complaint, United States of America v. State of Minnesota*, No. 0:26-cv-00273, Doc. 1, ¶¶ 21, 29 (filed January 14, 2026) — MMB oversight of the statewide program; definition of protected groups in Minn. Stat. § 43A.02, subd. 33. https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1423361/dl [^13]: U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, *Complaint, United States of America v. State of Minnesota*, No. 0:26-cv-00273, Doc. 1, ¶ 33 (filed January 14, 2026) — pre-hire justification requirement under Minn. Stat. § 43A.191, subd. 3(c). https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1423361/dl [^14]: Minnesota Department of Human Services, Equal Opportunity and Access Division, *Hiring Justification, Policy No. 4100.250* (effective August 12, 2025), filed as Ex. B, Doc. 1-2, No. 0:26-cv-00273 (January 14, 2026) — policy purpose and offer restriction. https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1423361/dl [^15]: U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, *Complaint, United States of America v. State of Minnesota*, No. 0:26-cv-00273, Doc. 1, ¶ 54 (filed January 14, 2026) — allegation that the State identifies no prior or present discrimination. https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1423361/dl [^16]: U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, *Complaint, United States of America v. State of Minnesota*, No. 0:26-cv-00273, Doc. 1, Prayer for Relief (filed January 14, 2026) — declaratory, injunctive and equitable relief sought. https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1423361/dl [^17]: Office of Rep. Tom Emmer, *Emmer, Minnesota Republicans Call for Investigation into Taxpayer-Funded University Internship Program* (May 26, 2023) — letter to Secretary Cardona and Assistant Secretary Lhamon; program eligibility requirement as quoted; Title VI; Emmer's statement on the University's change. https://emmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emmer-minnesota-republicans-call-for-investigation-into-taxpayer-funded-university-internship-program