1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; establishing an advisory committee to simplify 
1.3 	program administration; requiring studies and reports; amending Minnesota 
1.4 	Statutes 2006, section 256.01, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.01, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 23.Administrative simplification; county cost study. (a) The commissioner 
1.9 	shall establish and convene the first meeting of an advisory committee to identify ways 
1.10 	to simplify and streamline human services laws and administrative requirements. The 
1.11 	advisory committee shall select its chair from its membership at the first meeting.
1.12 	(b) The committee shall consist of three senators appointed by the senate Committee 
1.13 	on Rules and Administration, three representatives appointed by the speaker of the house 
1.14 	of representatives, four department staff, and five county representatives appointed by 
1.15 	the Association of Minnesota Counties after consultation with other relevant county 
1.16 	organizations. 
1.17 	(c) The committee shall annually select up to two topics for review. The goals of 
1.18 	the reviews are to discuss opportunities for administrative improvements and increased 
1.19 	simplification and streamlining to improve consistency, efficiency, fairness, and to reduce 
1.20 	the risk of recipient noncompliance. In reviewing the topics selected, consideration shall 
1.21 	be given to:
1.22 	(1) current challenges in administrative complexity and service delivery and whether 
1.23 	the sharing of responsibilities between the state and the county should be altered in any 
1.24 	way, including transferring responsibilities from one entity to the other;
2.1 	(2) methods of reducing inconsistency with similar programs; and
2.2 	(3) the current funding mechanism, whether funding formulas should be adjusted for 
2.3 	special demographic or geographic factors that influence program costs, differences in 
2.4 	county property tax contributions and maintenance of effort obligations, and whether the 
2.5 	mix of state and county obligations for financial support of this service should be changed.
2.6 	(d) The committee members shall assume responsibility for reporting progress to 
2.7 	the appropriate leadership of the groups they represent. The commissioner, in partnership 
2.8 	with the advisory committee, shall report to the legislative committees and divisions with 
2.9 	jurisdiction over the Department of Human Services on the findings and recommendations 
2.10 	of the advisory committee by December 15 of each year.

2.11 	Sec. 2. EXPIRATION.
 2.12 	Section 1 expires June 30, 2012.