1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; proposing the Back Office Consolidation Act; 
1.3 	appropriating funds for a benchmarking study for finance, procurement, and 
1.4 	human resources.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. CITATION.
 1.7 	This act may be known as the "Back Office Consolidation Act."

1.8 	Sec. 2. BENCHMARKING STUDIES.
 1.9 	(a) $450,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2012 from the general fund to the 
1.10 	commissioner of the Department of Administration to contract for:
1.11 	(1) a benchmark study resulting in a benchmark report on the efficiency and 
1.12 	effectiveness of the following back office functions: finance; procurement; and human 
1.13 	resources, including payroll. The benchmark report shall be completed by November 
1.14 	1, 2012, and shall:
1.15 	(i) include an objective comparison of the performance of the state to peer groups 
1.16 	and world-class organizations;
1.17 	(ii) quantify performance gaps;
1.18 	(iii) uncover hidden costs;
1.19 	(iv) identify improvement initiatives for the state to increase efficiency and 
1.20 	effectiveness; and
1.21 	(v) suggest a prioritized ranking of the improvement initiatives; and
1.22 	(2) a student transportation study. This study must consider potential efficiencies 
1.23 	that could result in employing a regional approach to student transportation. Consideration 
2.1 	must be given to potential synergies between general transit and student transportation 
2.2 	functions and must include all geographic areas of the state. The student transportation 
2.3 	study shall be completed by November 1, 2012.
2.4 	(b) The commissioner of administration shall provide copies of the benchmark 
2.5 	report and the student transportation study to the chairs and ranking minority members 
2.6 	on the committees in the senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction 
2.7 	over the Department of Administration.
2.8 	(c) The appropriation in paragraph (a) is a onetime appropriation and is available 
2.9 	in fiscal year 2013.

2.10 	Sec. 3. IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES.
 2.11 	By January 15, 2013, the commissioner of administration shall submit a report to 
2.12 	the chairs and ranking minority members on the committees in the senate and house of 
2.13 	representatives with primary jurisdiction over the Department of Administration including:
2.14 	(1) a plan for implementing the improvement initiatives identified in the 
2.15 	benchmarking report; and
2.16 	(2) any draft legislation that is required to implement the improvements.

2.17 	Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.18 	Sections 1 to 3 are effective the day following final enactment.