1st Engrossment - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to the organization and operation of state 1.3 government; appropriating money for the general 1.4 administrative expenses of state government; modifying 1.5 provisions relating to state government operations; 1.6 modifying the Debt Collection Act; requiring free 1.7 Internet access to certain state publications; 1.8 modifying the Administrative Procedure Act; creating 1.9 the construction codes advisory council; providing for 1.10 consumer education on telemarketing fraud; creating a 1.11 settlement division in the office of administrative 1.12 hearings; transferring the small claims court; 1.13 amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 3.3005, 1.14 subdivision 2, and by adding a subdivision; 4.07, 1.15 subdivision 3; 10A.071, subdivision 3; 10A.20, by 1.16 adding a subdivision; 14.04; 14.46, subdivision 4; 1.17 15.91, subdivision 2; 16A.055, subdivision 6; 16A.10, 1.18 as amended; 16A.11, subdivision 3, and by adding a 1.19 subdivision; 16A.72; 16B.04, subdivision 4; 16D.02, 1.20 subdivision 3; 16D.04, subdivisions 1 and 4; 16D.08, 1.21 subdivision 2; 16D.11, as amended; 16D.16; 17.03, 1.22 subdivision 11; 43A.04, subdivision 1a; 43A.17, 1.23 subdivision 8; 43A.317, subdivision 8; 45.012; 84.027, 1.24 subdivision 14; 116.03, subdivision 2a; 116J.011; 1.25 144.05, subdivision 2; 174.02, subdivision 1a; 1.26 175.001, subdivision 6; 179A.16, subdivisions 1, 3, 9, 1.27 and by adding a subdivision; 179A.18, subdivision 1; 1.28 190.09, subdivision 2; 196.05, subdivision 2; 216A.07, 1.29 subdivision 6; 268.0122, subdivision 6; 270.02, 1.30 subdivision 3a; 299A.01, subdivision 1a; 363.05, 1.31 subdivision 3; and 469.177, subdivision 11; Minnesota 1.32 Statutes 1997 Supplement, sections 4A.08; 16A.103, 1.33 subdivision 1; 16A.11, subdivision 1; 16E.07, 1.34 subdivision 3; 43A.30, subdivision 4; 120.0111; 1.35 241.01, subdivision 3b; 245.03, subdivision 2; and 1.36 270.063, subdivision 1; Laws 1997, chapter 202, 1.37 article 4, section 13, subdivision 7; proposing coding 1.38 for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 3; 14; 1.39 16B; 16D; and 325G; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, 1.40 section 3.971, subdivision 3; Minnesota Statutes 1997 1.41 Supplement, sections 16A.11, subdivision 3c; 241.015; 1.42 394.232, subdivision 5; and 572A.01. 1.43 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.44 ARTICLE 1 2.1 APPROPRIATIONS AND OPERATIONS 2.2 Section 1. [STATE GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS.] 2.3 The sums in the columns headed "APPROPRIATIONS" are 2.4 appropriated from the general fund, or another named fund, to 2.5 the agencies and for the purposes specified to be available for 2.6 the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 2.7 SUMMARY BY FUND 2.8 1998 1999 2.9 General $ 2,215,000 $ 30,758,000 2.10 Special Revenue -0- 15,000 2.11 Natural Resources -0- 25,000 2.12 Game and Fish -0- 33,000 2.13 Trunk Highway -0- 55,000 2.14 APPROPRIATIONS 2.15 Available for the Year 2.16 Ending June 30 2.17 1998 1999 2.18 Sec. 2. LEGISLATURE 25,000 2.19 This appropriation is to the 2.20 legislative coordinating commission for 2.21 a grant to the Council of State 2.22 Governments to organize and fund a 2.23 series of meetings between members of 2.24 the Minnesota legislature and members 2.25 of the Manitoba and Ontario 2.26 parliaments. Approximately six members 2.27 of each body may attend the meetings. 2.28 Meetings may involve all three bodies 2.29 or the legislature and one of the 2.30 parliaments. The meetings shall be at 2.31 the capital cities of the state or of 2.32 the provinces. 2.33 The House of Representatives television 2.34 office shall log all citizen comments 2.35 received and shall distribute comments 2.36 originating from each member's district 2.37 to the appropriate House member within 2.38 one week after the comments are 2.39 received. 2.40 Sec. 3. LEGISLATIVE AUDIT 2.41 COMMISSION 2.42 The legislative audit commission is 2.43 requested to evaluate the 2.44 interpretation and enforcement of the 2.45 state building code by state and local 2.46 enforcement officials. If conducted, 2.47 the evaluation shall pay particular 2.48 attention to: (1) interpretation and 2.49 enforcement of the code as applied to 2.50 public buildings as compared to 2.51 interpretation and enforcement when 2.52 applied to privately-owned buildings; 2.53 and (2) the extent to which 3.1 interpretation and enforcement of the 3.2 code involves public safety concerns. 3.3 If conducted, the results of the 3.4 evaluation shall be reported to the 3.5 legislature by January 15, 1999. 3.6 Sec. 4. ATTORNEY GENERAL -0- 24,000,000 3.7 The commissioner of finance and the 3.8 attorney general shall convene a joint 3.9 executive-legislative task force to 3.10 evaluate: 3.11 (1) the availability of legal services 3.12 from the attorney general's office 3.13 necessary to meet the needs of state 3.14 government; 3.15 (2) the adequacy and suitability of the 3.16 current mechanism for funding legal 3.17 services; 3.18 (3) the appropriateness of billing 3.19 rates to cover the cost of legal 3.20 services; and 3.21 (4) the appropriateness of the current 3.22 process for setting billing rates. 3.23 In addition to representatives of the 3.24 commissioner and the attorney general, 3.25 the task force must include 3.26 representatives of partner and 3.27 nonpartner agencies receiving services 3.28 from the office of the attorney 3.29 general, legislative fiscal staff 3.30 representing committees responsible for 3.31 funding the office of the attorney 3.32 general, and the office of the 3.33 legislative auditor. 3.34 By November 15, 1998, the task force 3.35 shall report the progress and status of 3.36 its evaluation to the committees 3.37 responsible for funding the office of 3.38 the attorney general. By January 15, 3.39 1999, the task force shall make a final 3.40 report to the committees responsible 3.41 for funding the office of the attorney 3.42 general. The final report shall 3.43 identify proposed improvements in the 3.44 current funding system and make 3.45 recommendations to improve the 3.46 availability of legal services, the 3.47 funding of services, and the 3.48 accountability of legal costs by all 3.49 parties. 3.50 Sec. 5. SECRETARY OF STATE -0- 100,000 3.51 This appropriation is to make necessary 3.52 changes to the statewide voter 3.53 registration system to facilitate 3.54 reassignment of voters to the correct 3.55 precinct and election districts 3.56 following legislative redistricting in 3.57 2002. This appropriation is available 3.58 until June 30, 2000. 3.59 Sec. 6. OFFICE OF STRATEGIC AND 3.60 LONG-RANGE PLANNING 1,215,000 305,000 4.1 $15,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 4.2 1998 and $65,000 is appropriated in 4.3 fiscal year 1999 for census-related 4.4 activities. 4.5 $1,200,000 in fiscal year 1998 is for 4.6 purposes of section 63. This 4.7 appropriation does not cancel. 4.8 $240,000 in fiscal year 1999 is for 4.9 grants to regional development 4.10 commissions to assist local units of 4.11 government with the preparation of 4.12 local land use plans. In regions not 4.13 served by an active regional 4.14 development commission, the director 4.15 may select another regional 4.16 organization. 4.17 Sec. 7. DEPARTMENT OF 4.18 ADMINISTRATION -0- 5,479,000 4.19 $3,850,000 is appropriated in fiscal 4.20 year 1999 for modifications of state 4.21 business systems to address year 2000 4.22 changes. $2,000,000 may be used only 4.23 for requests presented to the 4.24 legislature in 1997, but not funded. 4.25 $1,850,000 may be used only for the 4.26 department of finance, for abatements, 4.27 testing, interfaces, and small agency 4.28 requests. This appropriation is 4.29 available only if the commissioner 4.30 first determines that there will be 4.31 third party or outside agency 4.32 compliance testing of each system 4.33 funded by this appropriation to verify 4.34 that agency information systems are 4.35 year 2000 capable. This appropriation 4.36 may not be used to provide funding for 4.37 any system that is funded by a fund 4.38 other than the general fund. This 4.39 appropriation is added to the 4.40 appropriation for technology management 4.41 in Laws 1997, chapter 202, article 1, 4.42 section 12, subdivision 7. This 4.43 appropriation is available until 4.44 expended. 4.45 $150,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 4.46 1999 for the office of citizenship and 4.47 volunteer services for coordinating the 4.48 Minnesota alliance with youth 4.49 initiative. 4.50 $315,000 in fiscal year 1999 is for a 4.51 grant to Pioneer Public Television for 4.52 the construction of a noncommercial 4.53 television translator tower. The 4.54 construction of this tower will 4.55 primarily enable the residents of Otter 4.56 Tail county to receive this 4.57 noncommercial television signal. 4.58 Before state funds are released for 4.59 this project, a license to operate this 4.60 facility must be granted by the Federal 4.61 Communications Commission. In order to 4.62 qualify for this grant, Pioneer Public 4.63 Television must provide a match which 4.64 equals at least 25 percent of the total 5.1 project costs from nonstate government 5.2 sources. 5.3 $100,000 is for grants to the 5.4 Minneapolis park and recreation board 5.5 and the St. Paul park and recreation 5.6 department to provide public technology 5.7 access to children, adults, and 5.8 neighborhood groups to state, county, 5.9 city, and school district information 5.10 systems. The funds shall be used to 5.11 connect 48 park facilities to the 5.12 city's network backbone and Internet 5.13 system by writing software, purchasing 5.14 and upgrading hardware, and installing 5.15 communication lines and servers. The 5.16 funds are available only to the extent 5.17 they are matched one-to-one from 5.18 nonstate sources. Upon receipt of a 5.19 grant, the Minneapolis park and 5.20 recreation board and the St. Paul park 5.21 and recreation department must apply 5.22 for federal matching funds for computer 5.23 and technology enhancement by units of 5.24 local government. 5.25 $500,000 in fiscal year 1999 is for 5.26 grants to noncommercial television 5.27 stations to assist with conversion to a 5.28 digital broadcast signal as mandated by 5.29 the federal government. In order to 5.30 qualify for these grants, a station 5.31 must meet the criteria established for 5.32 grants in Minnesota Statutes, section 5.33 129D.12, subdivision 2. This 5.34 appropriation is contingent on the 5.35 commissioner of finance determining, 5.36 after November 1, 1998, that there will 5.37 be a positive unrestricted budgetary 5.38 general fund balance as of June 30, 5.39 1999. 5.40 $20,000 is for a portrait of Governor 5.41 Carlson. 5.42 $1,000,000 is for a payment to the 5.43 Minneapolis community development 5.44 agency in partial repayment of a 1986 5.45 loan made by the agency to the 5.46 Minneapolis park board to acquire 5.47 property for the central riverfront 5.48 regional park. As a condition of 5.49 receiving this payment, the Minneapolis 5.50 community development agency must agree 5.51 that the payment will serve as full 5.52 satisfaction and accord for the 1986 5.53 loan, and that this will be the final 5.54 payment made by the state. 5.55 No state agency shall adopt any rules 5.56 with regard to codes or standards for 5.57 heating, cooling, refrigeration, 5.58 ventilation, piping, or appurtenances; 5.59 installation or maintenance, without 5.60 the substantial agreement and consensus 5.61 of the Minnesota chapter of I.A.P.M.O.; 5.62 Minnesota Mechanical Contractors 5.63 Association; Minnesota Association of 5.64 Plumbing, Heating and Cooling 5.65 Contracts; Sheet Metal, Air 5.66 Conditioning, and Roofing Contractors 6.1 Association of Minnesota. 6.2 $44,000 is for costs associated with 6.3 making the State Register and the 6.4 guidebook to state agency services 6.5 available on the Internet. The 6.6 management analysis division of the 6.7 department of administration must 6.8 analyze the financial impacts of making 6.9 the State Register and the guidebook to 6.10 state agency services available on the 6.11 Internet on the department's bookstore 6.12 operation. The division must report 6.13 its preliminary findings to the chairs 6.14 of the house and senate governmental 6.15 operations budget and finance divisions 6.16 by January 15, 1999. A complete 6.17 analysis of fiscal impacts must be 6.18 submitted to these chairs by January 6.19 15, 2000. 6.20 The commissioner shall place a bust of 6.21 Nellie Stone Johnson in the capitol 6.22 complex. 6.23 Sec. 8. CAPITOL AREA ARCHITECTURAL 6.24 AND PLANNING BOARD 150,000 6.25 This appropriation is for the Minnesota 6.26 women's suffrage memorial garden on the 6.27 capitol grounds. This appropriation is 6.28 available until June 30, 1999. 6.29 Sec. 9. DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYEE 6.30 RELATIONS 1,000,000 -0- 6.31 $1,000,000 is for fiscal year 1998 to 6.32 the insurance trust fund under 6.33 Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.316, 6.34 subdivision 9, for the purposes stated 6.35 in that subdivision. This 6.36 appropriation does not cancel. 6.37 The commissioner of the department of 6.38 employee relations shall study and 6.39 report to the legislature by August 1, 6.40 1999, to: (1) determine what temporary 6.41 state jobs occupied by disabled 6.42 individuals are filled by able-bodied 6.43 individuals when the jobs become 6.44 permanent; (2) examine whether state 6.45 agencies are in compliance with state 6.46 and federal law in hiring qualified 6.47 disabled individuals; and (3) recommend 6.48 any assistance state agencies may need 6.49 to comply with applicable laws. 6.50 Sec. 10. REVENUE 731,000 6.51 This appropriation is added to the 6.52 appropriation in Laws 1997, chapter 6.53 202, article 1, section 17, subdivision 6.54 8, and must be used for information 6.55 systems and to expand the Minnesota 6.56 collection enterprise office staff in 6.57 Ely. The legislature estimates that 6.58 this appropriation will result in 6.59 increased revenue to the general fund 6.60 of $900,000 in fiscal year 1999. 6.61 Sec. 11. AMATEUR SPORTS COMMISSION 536,000 7.1 $136,000 is for a grant to the Iron 7.2 Range resources and rehabilitation 7.3 board to expand the facilities at Mt. 7.4 Itasca ski area. 7.5 $100,000 is for a grant to the United 7.6 States Olympic Committee's Minnesota 7.7 Olympic development program to fund 7.8 development of a statewide winter 7.9 sports program for females and at-risk 7.10 youth. 7.11 $300,000 is for a grant to the city of 7.12 Gilbert for costs associated with 7.13 refurbishing of an ice arena, provided 7.14 that a dollar-for-dollar match is 7.15 provided by the city of Gilbert. 7.16 Sec. 12. MILITARY AFFAIRS 125,000 7.17 This appropriation is for expanded 7.18 outreach of the Science and Technology 7.19 Academies Reinforcing Basic Aviation 7.20 and Space Exploration (STARBASE) 7.21 program, including a program at the 7.22 Duluth air base. 7.23 Sec. 13. MINNEAPOLIS EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT FUND (1,000,000) 7.24 The scheduled state payment to the 7.25 Minneapolis employees retirement fund 7.26 on March 15, 1999, is reduced from 7.27 $2,250,000 to $1,250,000. If the 7.28 actuarial valuation as of July 1, 1998, 7.29 of the Minneapolis employees retirement 7.30 fund does not result in a reduction of 7.31 total required employer contributions 7.32 of greater than $1,000,000 for calendar 7.33 year 1999, the required employer 7.34 contributions for employers other than 7.35 the state of Minnesota will not be 7.36 increased above the amounts those 7.37 employers contributed in calendar year 7.38 1998. If the July 1, 1998, actuarial 7.39 valuation of the Minneapolis employees 7.40 retirement fund does not result in a 7.41 reduction of total employer 7.42 contribution of greater than 7.43 $1,000,000, the Minneapolis employees 7.44 retirement fund must report to the 7.45 commissioner of finance and the chairs 7.46 of the Senate state government finance 7.47 committee and the House state 7.48 government finance division on the 7.49 effect of the underfunding and the 7.50 amounts needed to correct any 7.51 deficiency. 7.52 Sec. 14. INSURANCE PREMIUM 7.53 SUPPLEMENT -0- 435,000 7.54 SUMMARY BY FUND 7.55 General -0- 307,000 7.56 Water Recreation -0- 23,000 7.57 Snowmobile Trails and 7.58 Enforcement -0- 2,000 7.59 Special Revenue -0- 15,000 8.1 Game and Fish -0- 33,000 8.2 Trunk Highway -0- 55,000 8.3 The amounts appropriated are to the 8.4 commissioner of finance for the second 8.5 year of the biennium for transfer to 8.6 agencies affected by cost increases due 8.7 to the extension of eligibility for 8.8 employer-paid premiums for health, 8.9 dental, and life insurance to part-time 8.10 seasonal employees as provided in 8.11 collective bargaining agreements for 8.12 the current biennium. 8.13 The schedule provided in the 1998 8.14 supplemental budget recommendation 8.15 detail page supporting the governor's 8.16 request for these appropriations must 8.17 be applied when determining base-level 8.18 funding of affected agencies for the 8.19 biennium ending June 30, 2001. 8.20 Sec. 15. HUMAN SERVICES 750,000 8.21 From the Minnesota lottery prize fund 8.22 to be used for Project Turnabout in 8.23 Granite Falls. This appropriation 8.24 shall not become part of the base 8.25 appropriation for the 2000-2001 8.26 biennium. 8.27 Sec. 16. [3.071] [COMPENSATORY TIME.] 8.28 The appointing authority in the house of representatives 8.29 must calculate the normal hours of work each pay period by 8.30 multiplying the number of regularly scheduled work days in the 8.31 pay period times eight. An employee in the house of 8.32 representatives must be granted one and one-half hours of 8.33 compensatory time off for each hour worked in a pay period in 8.34 excess of the normal hours of work for that pay period. 8.35 Scheduling of compensatory time is subject to the same 8.36 procedures as scheduling of vacation time. For purposes of this 8.37 section, hours of vacation or sick leave do not count as hours 8.38 worked. This section does not apply to an employee who is 8.39 covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act or to an 8.40 employee who accepts an alternative work schedule offered by the 8.41 appointing authority. 8.42 Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 3.3005, 8.43 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 8.44 Subd. 2. A state agency shall not expend money received by 8.45 it under federal law for any purpose unless a request to spend 8.46 federal money from that source for that purpose in that fiscal 9.1 year has been submitted by the governor to the legislature as a 9.2 part of a budget request submitted during or within ten days 9.3 before the start of a regular legislative session, or unless 9.4 specifically authorized by law or as provided by this section. 9.5 Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 3.3005, is 9.6 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 9.7 Subd. 2a. [REVIEW OF FEDERAL FUNDS SPENDING 9.8 REQUEST.] Twenty days after a governor's budget request that 9.9 includes a request to spend federal money is submitted to the 9.10 legislature under subdivision 2, a state agency may expend money 9.11 included in that request unless, within the 20-day period, a 9.12 member of the legislative advisory commission requests further 9.13 review. If a legislative advisory commission member requests 9.14 further review of a federal funds spending request, the agency 9.15 may not expend the federal funds until the request has been 9.16 satisfied and withdrawn, the expenditure is approved in law, or 9.17 the regular session of the legislature is adjourned for the year. 9.18 Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 4.07, 9.19 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 9.20 Subd. 3. [FEDERAL AND STATE LAW; APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS.] 9.21 The governor or any state department or agency designated by the 9.22 governor shall comply with any and all requirements of federal 9.23 law and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder to 9.24 enable the application for, the receipt of, and the acceptance 9.25 of such federal funds. The expenditure of any such funds 9.26 received shall be governed by the laws of the state except 9.27 insofar as federal requirements may otherwise provide. All such 9.28 money received by the governor or any state department or agency 9.29 designated by the governor for such purpose shall be deposited 9.30 in the state treasury and, subject to section 3.3005, are hereby 9.31 appropriated annually in order to enable the governor or the 9.32 state department or agency designated by the governor for such 9.33 purpose to carry out the purposes for which the funds are 9.34 received. None of such federal money so deposited in the state 9.35 treasury shall cancel and they shall be available for 9.36 expenditure in accordance with the requirements of federal law. 10.1 Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 10.2 4A.08, is amended to read: 10.3 4A.08 [COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING GOALS.] 10.4 The goals of community-based planning are: 10.5 (1) [CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.] To develop a community-based 10.6 planning process with broad citizen participation in order to 10.7 build local capacity to plan for sustainable development and to 10.8 benefit from the insights, knowledge, and support of local 10.9 residents. The process must include at least one citizen from 10.10 each affected unit of local government; 10.11 (2) [COOPERATION.] To promote cooperation among 10.12 communities to work towards the most efficient, planned, and 10.13 cost-effective delivery of government services by, among other 10.14 means, facilitating cooperative agreements among adjacent 10.15 communities and to coordinate planning to ensure compatibility 10.16 of one community's development with development of neighboring 10.17 communities; 10.18 (3) [ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.] To create sustainable economic 10.19 development strategies and provide economic opportunities 10.20 throughout the state that will achieve a balanced distribution 10.21 of growth statewide; 10.22 (4) [CONSERVATION.] To protect, preserve, and enhance the 10.23 state's resources, including agricultural land, forests, surface 10.24 water and groundwater, recreation and open space, scenic areas, 10.25 and significant historic and archaeological sites; 10.26 (5) [LIVABLE COMMUNITY DESIGN.] To strengthen communities 10.27 by following the principles of livable community design in 10.28 development and redevelopment, including integration of all 10.29 income and age groups, mixed land uses and compact development, 10.30 affordable and life-cycle housing, green spaces, access to 10.31 public transit, bicycle and pedestrian ways, and enhanced 10.32 aesthetics and beauty in public spaces; 10.33 (6) [HOUSING.] To provide and preserve an adequate supply 10.34 of affordable and life-cycle housing throughout the state; 10.35 (7) [TRANSPORTATION.] To focus on the movement of people 10.36 and goods, rather than on the movement of automobiles, in 11.1 transportation planning, and to maximize the efficient use of 11.2 the transportation infrastructure by increasing the availability 11.3 and use of appropriate public transit throughout the state 11.4 through land-use planning and design that makes public transit 11.5 economically viable and desirable; 11.6 (8) [LAND-USE PLANNING.] To establish a community-based 11.7 framework as a basis for all decisions and actions related to 11.8 land use; 11.9 (9) [PUBLIC INVESTMENTS.] To account for the full 11.10 environmental, social, and economic costs of new development, 11.11 including infrastructure costs such as transportation, sewers 11.12 and wastewater treatment, water, schools, recreation, and open 11.13 space, and plan the funding mechanisms necessary to cover the 11.14 costs of the infrastructure; 11.15 (10) [PUBLIC EDUCATION.] To support research and public 11.16 education on a community's and the state's finite capacity to 11.17 accommodate growth, and the need for planning and resource 11.18 management that will sustain growth;and11.19 (11) [SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.] To provide a better 11.20 quality of life for all residents while maintaining nature's 11.21 ability to function over time by minimizing waste, preventing 11.22 pollution, promoting efficiency, and developing local resources 11.23 to revitalize the local economy; and 11.24 (12) [PROPERTY RIGHTS.] To ensure that private property 11.25 shall not be taken, destroyed, or damaged for public use without 11.26 just compensation therefore, first paid or secured. 11.27 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 10A.071, 11.28 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 11.29 Subd. 3. [EXCEPTIONS.] (a) The prohibitions in this 11.30 section do not apply if the gift is: 11.31 (1) a contribution as defined in section 10A.01, 11.32 subdivision 7; 11.33 (2) services to assist an official in the performance of 11.34 official duties, including but not limited to providing advice, 11.35 consultation, information, and communication in connection with 11.36 legislation, and services to constituents; 12.1 (3) services of insignificant monetary value; 12.2 (4) a plaque or similar memento recognizing individual 12.3 services in a field of specialty or to a charitable cause; 12.4 (5) a trinket or memento of insignificant value; 12.5 (6) informational material of unexceptional value;or12.6 (7) food or a beverage given at a reception, meal, or 12.7 meeting away from the recipient's place of work by an 12.8 organization before whom the recipient appears to make a speech 12.9 or answer questions as part of a program; or 12.10 (8) less than $5 in value. 12.11 (b) The prohibitions in this section do not apply if the 12.12 gift is given: 12.13 (1) because of the recipient's membership in a group, a 12.14 majority of whose members are not officials, and an equivalent 12.15 gift is given to the other members of the group; or 12.16 (2) by a lobbyist or principal who is a member of the 12.17 family of the recipient, unless the gift is given on behalf of 12.18 someone who is not a member of that family. 12.19 Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 10A.20, is 12.20 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 12.21 Subd. 15. [AVAILABILITY.] The board shall make all reports 12.22 required under this section available on the Internet as soon as 12.23 possible after the reports are filed. The board may not require 12.24 additional reporting as a result of this subdivision. The board 12.25 must provide this service with funds appropriated to it and may 12.26 not increase fees as a result of this subdivision. 12.27 Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 14.04, is 12.28 amended to read: 12.29 14.04 [AGENCY ORGANIZATION; GUIDEBOOK.] 12.30 To assist interested persons dealing with it, each agency 12.31shallmust, in a manner prescribed by the commissioner of 12.32 administration, prepare a description of its organization, 12.33 stating the general course and method of its operations and 12.34 where and how the public may obtain information or make 12.35 submissions or requests. The commissioner of administration 12.36shallmust publish these descriptions at least once every four 13.1 years commencing in 1981 in a guidebook of state agencies. 13.2 Notice of the publication of the guidebookshallmust be 13.3 published in the State Register and given in newsletters, 13.4 newspapers, or other publications, or through other means of 13.5 communication. The commissioner must make an electronic version 13.6 of the guidebook available on the Internet free of charge 13.7 through the North Star information service. 13.8 Sec. 24. [14.095] [HEARING ON PETITION.] 13.9 Within 90 days of a petition filed by a local government 13.10 pursuant to section 14.09, the administrative law judge assigned 13.11 by the chief administrative law judge shall conduct a hearing on 13.12 the petition. The agency shall give notice of the hearing in 13.13 the same manner required for notice of a proposed rule hearing 13.14 under section 14.14, subdivision 1a. At the public hearing, the 13.15 agency shall make an affirmative presentation of facts 13.16 establishing the need for and reasonableness of the agency rule 13.17 or portion of the rule that is the subject of the petition. If 13.18 the administrative law judge determines that the agency has not 13.19 established the need for and reasonableness of the rule or some 13.20 portion of the rule, the rule or portion for which the agency 13.21 has not established need and reasonableness does not have the 13.22 force of law, effective 90 days after the administrative law 13.23 judge's decision or upon adjournment of the next regular annual 13.24 session of the legislature, whichever is later. The decision of 13.25 the administrative law judge shall be reported within 30 days to 13.26 the chairs of the house and senate government operations 13.27 committees and the house and senate policy committees with 13.28 jurisdiction over the agency whose rule is the subject of the 13.29 petition. 13.30 Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 14.46, 13.31 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 13.32 Subd. 4. [COST; DISTRIBUTION.] When an agency properly 13.33 submits a rule, proposed rule, notice, or other material to the 13.34 commissioner of administration, the commissionershallmust then 13.35 be accountable for the publication of the same in the State 13.36 Register. The commissioner of administrationshallmust require 14.1 each agency which requests the publication of rules, proposed 14.2 rules, notices, or other material in the State Register to pay 14.3 its proportionate cost of the State Register unless other funds 14.4 are provided and are sufficient to cover the cost of the State 14.5 Register. 14.6 The State Registershallmust be offered for public sale at 14.7 a location centrally located as determined by the commissioner 14.8 of administration and at a price as the commissioner of 14.9 administrationshall determinedetermines. The commissioner of 14.10 administrationshallmust further provide for the mailing of the 14.11 State Register to any person, agency, or organization if so 14.12 requested, provided that reasonable costs are borne by the 14.13 requesting party. The supply and expense appropriation to any 14.14 state agency is deemed to include funds to purchase the State 14.15 Register. Ten copies of each issue of the State Register, 14.16 however,shallmust be provided without cost to the legislative 14.17 reference library and ten copies to the state law library. One 14.18 copyshallmust be provided without cost to a public library in 14.19 each county seat in the state or, if there is no public library 14.20 in a county seat, to a public library in the county as 14.21 designated by the county board. The commissionershallmust 14.22 advise the recipient libraries of the significance and content 14.23 of the State Register andshallencourage efforts to promote its 14.24 usage. 14.25 The commissioner must make an electronic version of the 14.26 State Register available on the Internet free of charge through 14.27 the North Star information service. 14.28 Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 15.91, 14.29 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 14.30 Subd. 2. [PERFORMANCE REPORTS.] ByNovember 30January 2 14.31 of eacheven-numberedodd-numbered year, each agency shall issue 14.32 a performance report that includes the following: 14.33 (1) the agency's mission; 14.34 (2) the most important goals and objectivesfor each major14.35program for which the agency will request funding in its next14.36biennial budget;15.1(3) identification of the populations served by the15.2programsthat support the agency's mission; and 15.3(4) workload, efficiency, output, and outcome15.4 (3) the most important measures foreach programgoals and 15.5 objectives listed in the report, with data showingeach15.6programs'actual performance relative to these measuresfor the15.7previous four fiscal years and the performance the agency15.8projects it will achieve during the next two fiscal years with15.9the level of funding it has requested. 15.10If it would enhance an understanding of its mission,15.11programs, and performance, the agency shall include in its15.12report information that describes the broader economic, social,15.13and physical environment in which the agency's programs are15.14administered.15.15 Each agency shall send a copy of its performance report to 15.16 the speaker of the house, president of the senate, legislative 15.17 auditor, and legislative reference library, and provide a copy 15.18 to others upon request. 15.19 The commissioner of finance shall ensure that performance 15.20 reports are complete, succinct, accurate, and reliable and 15.21 compiled in such a way that they are useful to the public, 15.22 legislators, and managers in state government.To maintain a15.23computerized performance data system, the commissioner of15.24finance may require agencies to provide performance data15.25annually.15.26 The legislative auditor shall periodically review and 15.27 comment on selected performance reportsas provided for by15.28section 3.971, subdivision 3. 15.29 Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16A.10, as 15.30 amended by Laws 1997, chapter 202, article 2, section 12, is 15.31 amended to read: 15.32 16A.10 [BUDGET PREPARATION.] 15.33 Subdivision 1. [BUDGET FORMAT.] In each even-numbered 15.34 calendar year the commissioner shall prepare budget forms and 15.35 instructions for all agencies, including guidelines for 15.36 reporting program performance measures, subject to the approval 16.1 of the governor. The commissioner shall request and receive 16.2 advisory recommendations from the chairs of the senate finance 16.3 committee and house of representatives ways and means committee 16.4 before adopting a format for the biennial budget document. By 16.5 June 15, the commissioner shall send the proposed budget forms 16.6 to the appropriations and finance committees. The committees 16.7 have until July 15 to give the commissioner their advisory 16.8 recommendations on possible improvements. To facilitate this 16.9 consultation, the commissioner shall establish a working group 16.10 consisting of executive branch staff and designees of the chairs 16.11 of the senate finance and house of representatives ways and 16.12 means committees. The commissioner must involve this group in 16.13 all stages of development of budget forms and instructions. The 16.14 budget format must show actual expenditures and receipts for the 16.15 two most recent fiscal years, estimated expenditures and 16.16 receipts for the current fiscal year, and estimates for each 16.17 fiscal year of the next biennium. Estimated expenditures must 16.18 be classified by funds and character of expenditures and may be 16.19 subclassified by programs and activities. Agency revenue 16.20 estimates must show how the estimates were made and what factors 16.21 were used. Receipts must be classified by funds, programs, and 16.22 activities. Expenditure and revenue estimates must be based on 16.23 the law in existence at the time the estimates are prepared. 16.24 Subd. 1a. [PURPOSE OF PERFORMANCE DATA.] Performance data 16.25 shall be presented in the budget proposal to provide information 16.26 so that the legislature can determine the extent to which state 16.27 programs are successful in meeting goals and objectives. 16.28 Agencies shall present as much historical information as needed 16.29 to understand major trends and shall set targets for future 16.30 performance issues where feasible and appropriate. The 16.31 information shall appropriately highlight agency performance 16.32 issues that would assist legislative review and decision making. 16.33 Subd. 2. [BY OCTOBER 15 AND NOVEMBER 30.] By October 15 of 16.34 each even-numbered year, an agency must file the following with 16.35 the commissioner: 16.36 (1) budget estimates for the most recent and current fiscal 17.1 years; 17.2 (2) its upcoming biennial budget estimates; 17.3 (3) a comprehensive and integrated statement of agency 17.4 missions and outcome and performance measures; and 17.5 (4) a concise explanation of any planned changes in the 17.6 level of services or new activities. 17.7 The commissioner shall prepare and file the budget 17.8 estimates for an agency failing to file them. By November 30, 17.9 the commissioner shall send the final budget format, agency 17.10 budgetplans or requestsestimates for the next biennium, and 17.11 copies of the filed material to the ways and means and finance 17.12 committees, except that the commissioner shall not be required 17.13 to transmit information that identifies executive branch budget 17.14 decision items. At this time, a list of each employee's name, 17.15 title, and salary must be available to the legislature, either 17.16 on paper or through electronic retrieval. 17.17 Subd. 3. [DUTIES TO GOVERNOR-ELECT.] Immediately after the 17.18 election of a new governor, the commissioner shall report the 17.19 budget estimates and make available to the governor-elect all 17.20 department information, staff, and facilities relating to the 17.21 budget. 17.22 Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 17.23 16A.103, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 17.24 Subdivision 1. [STATE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES.] In 17.25 February and November each year, the commissioner shall prepare 17.26and deliver to the governor and legislaturea forecast of state 17.27 revenue and expenditures. The November forecast must be 17.28 delivered to the legislature and governor no later than the end 17.29 of the first week of December. The February forecast must be 17.30 delivered to the legislature and governor by the end of 17.31 February. The forecast must assume the continuation of current 17.32 laws and reasonable estimates of projected growth in the 17.33 national and state economies and affected populations. Revenue 17.34 must be estimated for all sources provided for in current law. 17.35 Expenditures must be estimated for all obligations imposed by 17.36 law and those projected to occur as a result of inflation and 18.1 variables outside the control of the legislature. In 18.2 determining the rate of inflation, the application of inflation, 18.3 and the other variables to be included in the expenditure part 18.4 of the forecast, the commissioner must consult with the chair of 18.5 the senate state government finance committee, the chair of the 18.6 house committee on ways and means, and house and senate fiscal 18.7 staff. In addition, the commissioner shall forecast Minnesota 18.8 personal income for each of the years covered by the forecast 18.9 and include these estimates in the forecast documents. A 18.10 forecast prepared during the first fiscal year of a biennium 18.11 must cover that biennium and the next biennium. A forecast 18.12 prepared during the second fiscal year of a biennium must cover 18.13 that biennium and the next two bienniums. 18.14 Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 18.15 16A.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 18.16 Subdivision 1. [WHEN.] The governor shall submit a 18.17four-partthree-part budget to the legislature. Parts one and 18.18 two, the budget message and detailed operating budget, must be 18.19 submitted by the fourth Tuesday in January in each odd-numbered 18.20 year. However, in a year following the election of a governor 18.21 who had not been governor the previous year, parts one and two 18.22 must be submitted by the third Tuesday in February. Part three, 18.23 the detailed recommendations as to capital expenditure, must be 18.24 submitted as follows: agency capital budget requests by July 1 18.25 of each odd-numbered year, and governor's recommendations by 18.26 January 15 of each even-numbered year.Part four, theDetailed 18.27 recommendations as to information technology expenditure, must 18.28 be submitted at the same time the governor submits the budget 18.29 message to the legislature. Information technology 18.30 recommendations must include projects to be funded during the 18.31 next biennium and planning estimates for an additional two 18.32 bienniums. Information technology recommendations must specify 18.33 purposes of the funding such as infrastructure, hardware, 18.34 software, or training. 18.35 Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16A.11, 18.36 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 19.1 Subd. 3. [PART TWO: DETAILED BUDGET.] Part two of the 19.2 budget, the detailed budget estimates both of expenditures and 19.3 revenues,shallmust contain any statements on the financial 19.4 plan which the governor believes desirable or which may be 19.5 required by the legislature.Part of the budget must be19.6prepared using performance-based budgeting concepts. In this19.7subdivision, "performance-based budgeting" means a budget system19.8that identifies agency outcomes and results and provides19.9comprehensive information regarding actual and proposed changes19.10in funding and outcomes.The detailed estimates shall include 19.11 the governor's budgetplan of each agencyarranged in tabular 19.12 formso it may readily be compared with the governor's budget19.13for each agency. The detailed estimates must include a separate 19.14 line listing the total number of professional or technical 19.15 service contracts and the total cost of those contracts for the 19.16 prior biennium and the projected number of professional or 19.17 technical service contracts and the projected costs of those 19.18 contracts for the current and upcoming biennium. Theyshall19.19 must also include, as part of each agency's organization chart,19.20 a summary of the personnel employed by the agency,showing the19.21 reflected as full-time equivalent positionsfor the current19.22biennium, and the number of full-time equivalent employees of19.23all kinds employed by the agency on June 30 of the last complete19.24fiscal year, and the number of professional or technical service 19.25 consultants for the current biennium. 19.26 Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16A.11, is 19.27 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 19.28 Subd. 3a. [AGENCY BUDGET REQUESTS.] After the governor's 19.29 budget is presented to the legislature, agencies, if requested, 19.30 must provide information to the legislature about budget 19.31 requests that have originated in the agency. 19.32 Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16A.72, is 19.33 amended to read: 19.34 16A.72 [INCOME CREDITED TO GENERAL FUND; EXCEPTIONS.] 19.35 All income, including fees or receipts of any nature, shall 19.36 be credited to the general fund, except: 20.1 (1) federal aid; 20.2 (2) contributions, or reimbursements received for any 20.3 account of any division or department for which an appropriation 20.4 is made by law; 20.5 (3) income to the University of Minnesota; 20.6 (4) income to revolving funds now established in 20.7 institutions under the control of the commissioners of 20.8 corrections or human services; 20.9 (5) investment earnings resulting from the master lease 20.10 program, except that the amount credited to another fund or 20.11 account may not exceed the amount of the additional expense 20.12 incurred by that fund or account through participation in the 20.13 master lease program; 20.14 (6) investment earnings resulting from any gift, donation, 20.15 device, endowment, trust, or court-ordered or court-approved 20.16 escrow account or trust fund, which should be credited to the 20.17 fund or account and appropriated for the purpose for which they 20.18 were received; 20.19 (7) receipts from the operation of patients' and inmates' 20.20 stores and vending machines, which shall be deposited in the 20.21 social welfare fund in each institution for the benefit of the 20.22 patients and inmates; 20.23(7)(8) money received in payment for services of inmate 20.24 labor employed in the industries carried on in the state 20.25 correctional facilities which receipts shall be credited to the 20.26 current expense fund of those facilities; 20.27(8)(9) as provided in sections 16B.57 and 85.22; 20.28(9)(10) income to the Minnesota historical society; 20.29(10)(11) the percent of income collected by a private 20.30 collection agency and retained by the collection agency as its 20.31 collection fee; or 20.32(11)(12) as otherwise provided by law. 20.33 Sec. 33. [16B.104] [PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS.] 20.34 (a) Technology access standards must be developed by the 20.35 commissioner, in consultation with the office of technology, and 20.36 must require compliance with nonvisual access standards 21.1 established by the state. The requirement must be included in 21.2 all contracts for the procurement of information technology by, 21.3 or for the use of, agencies, political subdivisions, the 21.4 University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota state colleges and 21.5 universities. 21.6 (b) The nonvisual access standards must include the 21.7 following minimum specifications: 21.8 (1) effective, interactive control and use of the 21.9 technology, including the operating system, applications 21.10 programs, prompts, and format of the data presented, must be 21.11 readily achievable by nonvisual means; 21.12 (2) the nonvisual access technology must be compatible with 21.13 information technology used by other individuals with whom the 21.14 blind or visually impaired individual must interact; 21.15 (3) nonvisual access technology must be integrated into 21.16 networks used to share communications among employees, program 21.17 participants, and the public; and 21.18 (4) the nonvisual access technology must have the 21.19 capability of providing equivalent access by nonvisual means to 21.20 telecommunications or other interconnected network services used 21.21 by persons who are not blind or visually impaired. 21.22 (c) Nothing in this section requires the installation of 21.23 software or peripheral devices used for nonvisual access when 21.24 the information technology is being used by individuals who are 21.25 not blind or visually impaired. 21.26 (d) Compliance with this section in regard to information 21.27 technology purchased prior to August 1, 1998, must be achieved 21.28 at the time of procurement of an upgrade or replacement of the 21.29 existing equipment or software. 21.30 Sec. 34. [16B.76] [CONSTRUCTION CODES ADVISORY COUNCIL.] 21.31 Subdivision 1. [MEMBERSHIP.] (a) The construction codes 21.32 advisory council consists of the following members: 21.33 (1) the commissioner of administration or the 21.34 commissioner's designee representing the department's building 21.35 codes and standards division; 21.36 (2) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's 22.1 designee representing an environmental health section of the 22.2 department; 22.3 (3) the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner's 22.4 designee representing the department's state fire marshal 22.5 division; 22.6 (4) the commissioner of public service or the 22.7 commissioner's designee representing the department's energy 22.8 division; 22.9 (5) two members representing the Minnesota Building 22.10 Officials, one of whom must reside outside the metropolitan 22.11 area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, appointed by 22.12 the commissioner of administration; and 22.13 (6) one member representing each of the following 22.14 organizations and appointed by the commissioner of 22.15 administration: 22.16 (i) Fire Marshal's Association of Minnesota; 22.17 (ii) Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association; 22.18 (iii) American Institute of Architects Minnesota; 22.19 (iv) Consulting Engineers Council of Minnesota; 22.20 (v) Building Owners and Managers Association; 22.21 (vi) Builders Association of Minnesota; 22.22 (vii) Associated General Contractors of Minnesota; 22.23 (viii) Associated Builders and Contractors of Minnesota, 22.24 Inc.; 22.25 (ix) Minnesota Association of Plumbing, Heating, and 22.26 Cooling Contractors; 22.27 (x) Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association; 22.28 (xi) League of Minnesota Cities; 22.29 (xii) Sheet Metal, Air Conditioning, and Roofing 22.30 Contractors; 22.31 (xiii) Minnesota Electrical Association; 22.32 (xiv) Minnesota Utility Contractors Association; 22.33 (xv) National Electrical Contractors Association; and 22.34 (xvi) Building and Construction Trades. 22.35 (b) For members who are not state officials or employees, 22.36 terms, compensation, removal, and the filling of vacancies are 23.1 governed by section 15.059. The council shall select one of its 23.2 members to serve as chair. 23.3 (c) The council expires June 30, 2001. 23.4 Subd. 2. [DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL.] (a) The council shall 23.5 review laws, codes, rules, standards, and licensing requirements 23.6 relating to building construction and may: 23.7 (1) recommend ways to eliminate inconsistencies, to 23.8 streamline construction regulation and construction processes, 23.9 and to improve procedures within and among jurisdictions; 23.10 (2) review and comment on current and proposed laws and 23.11 rules to promote coordination and consistency; 23.12 (3) advise agencies on possible changes in rules to make 23.13 them easier to understand and apply; and 23.14 (4) promote the coordination, within each jurisdiction, of 23.15 the administration and enforcement of construction codes. 23.16 (b) The council shall report its findings and 23.17 recommendations to the commissioner of administration and the 23.18 head of any other affected agency by the end of each calendar 23.19 year. The council may recommend changes in laws or rules 23.20 governing building construction. The council may establish 23.21 subcommittees to facilitate its work. 23.22 Subd. 3. [AGENCY COOPERATION.] State agencies and local 23.23 governmental units shall cooperate with the council and, so far 23.24 as possible, provide information or assistance to it upon its 23.25 request. The commissioner of administration shall provide 23.26 necessary staff and administrative support to the council. 23.27 Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16D.02, 23.28 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 23.29 Subd. 3. [DEBT.] "Debt" means an amount owed to the state 23.30 directly, or through a state agency, on account of a fee, duty, 23.31 lease, direct loan, loan insured or guaranteed by the state, 23.32 rent, service, sale of real or personal property, overpayment, 23.33 fine, assessment, penalty, restitution, damages, interest, tax, 23.34 bail bond, forfeiture, reimbursement, liability owed, an 23.35 assignment to the state including assignments under sections 23.36 256.72 to 256.87, the Social Security Act, or other state or 24.1 federal law, recovery of costs incurred by the state, or any 24.2 other source of indebtedness to the state. Debt also includes 24.3 amounts owed to individuals as a result of civil, criminal, or 24.4 administrative action brought by the state or a state agency 24.5 pursuant to its statutory authority or for which the state or 24.6 state agency acts in a fiduciary capacity in providing 24.7 collection services in accordance with the regulations adopted 24.8 under the Social Security Act at Code of Federal Regulations, 24.9 title 45, section 302.33. Debt also includes an amount owed to 24.10 the courts or University of Minnesota for which the commissioner 24.11 provides collection services pursuant to contract. 24.12 Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16D.04, 24.13 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 24.14 Subdivision 1. [DUTIES.] The commissioner shall provide 24.15 services to the state and its agencies to collect debts owed the 24.16 state. The commissioner is not a collection agency as defined 24.17 by section 332.31, subdivision 3, and is not licensed, bonded, 24.18 or regulated by the commissioner of commerce under sections 24.19 332.31 to 332.35 or 332.38 to 332.45. The commissioner is 24.20 subject to section 332.37, except clause (9)or, (10), (12), or 24.21 (19). Debts referred to the commissioner for collection under 24.22 section 256.9792 may in turn be referred by the commissioner to 24.23 the enterprise. An audited financial statement may not be 24.24 required as a condition of debt placement with a private agency 24.25 if the private agency: (1) has errors and omissions coverage 24.26 under a professional liability policy in an amount of at least 24.27 $1,000,000; or (2) has a fidelity bond to cover actions of its 24.28 employees, in an amount of at least $100,000. In cases of debts 24.29 referred under section 256.9792, the provisions of this chapter 24.30 and section 256.9792 apply to the extent they are not in 24.31 conflict. If they are in conflict, the provisions of section 24.32 256.9792 control. For purposes of this chapter, the referring 24.33 agency for such debts remains the department of human services. 24.34 Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16D.04, 24.35 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 24.36 Subd. 4. [AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT.] The 25.1commissionercommissioners of revenue and finance may contract 25.2 with credit bureaus, private collection agencies, and other 25.3 entities as necessary for the collection of debts. A private 25.4 collection agency acting under a contract with the 25.5commissionercommissioners of revenue and finance is subject to 25.6 sections 332.31 to 332.45, except that the private collection 25.7 agency may indicate that it is acting under a contract with 25.8 thecommissionerstate. The commissioner may not delegate the 25.9 powers provided under section 16D.08 to any nongovernmental 25.10 entity. 25.11 Sec. 38. [16D.045] [STAFF.] 25.12 Any staff hired by the commissioner of revenue after June 25.13 30, 1998, to work for the Minnesota collection enterprise must 25.14 be located in the Ely office. 25.15 Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16D.08, 25.16 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 25.17 Subd. 2. [POWERS.] In addition to the collection remedies 25.18 available to private collection agencies in this state, the 25.19 commissioner, with legal assistance from the attorney general, 25.20 may utilize any statutory authority granted to a referring 25.21 agency for purposes of collecting debt owed to that referring 25.22 agency. The commissioner may also delegate to the enterprise 25.23 the tax collection remedies in sections 270.06, clauses (7) and 25.24 (17), excluding the power to subpoena witnesses; 270.66; 270.69, 25.25 excluding subdivisions 7 and 13; 270.70, excluding subdivision 25.26 14; 270.7001 to 270.72; and 290.92, subdivision 23, except that 25.27 a continuous wage levy under section 290.92, subdivision 23, is 25.28 only effective for 70 days, unless no competing wage 25.29 garnishments, executions, or levies are served within the 70-day 25.30 period, in which case a wage levy is continuous until a 25.31 competing garnishment, execution, or levy is served in the 25.32 second or a succeeding 70-day period, in which case a continuous 25.33 wage levy is effective for the remainder of that period. A 25.34 debtor who qualifies for cancellation ofthecollectionpenalty25.35 costs under section 16D.11, subdivision 3, clause (1), can apply 25.36 to the commissioner for reduction or release of a continuous 26.1 wage levy, if the debtor establishes that the debtor needs all 26.2 or a portion of the wages being levied upon to pay for essential 26.3 living expenses, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, 26.4 or expenses necessary for maintaining employment. The 26.5 commissioner's determination not to reduce or release a 26.6 continuous wage levy is appealable to district court. The word 26.7 "tax" or "taxes" when used in the tax collection statutes listed 26.8 in this subdivision also means debts referred under this 26.9 chapter. For debts other than state taxes or child support, 26.10 before any of the tax collection remedies listed in this 26.11 subdivision can be used, except for the remedies in section 26.12 270.06, clauses (7) and (17), if the referring agency has not 26.13 already obtained a judgment or filed a lien, the commissioner 26.14 must first obtain a judgment against the debtor. 26.15 Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16D.11, as 26.16 amended by Laws 1997, chapter 187, article 3, section 3, is 26.17 amended to read: 26.18 16D.11 [COLLECTIONPENALTYCOSTS.] 26.19 Subdivision 1. [IMPOSITION.] As determined by the 26.20 commissioner of finance,a penaltycollection costs shall be 26.21 added to the debts referred to the commissioner or private 26.22 collection agency for collection.The penalty isCollection 26.23 costs are collectible by the commissioner or private agency from 26.24 the debtor at the same time and in the same manner as the 26.25 referred debt. The referring agency shall advise the debtor of 26.26the penaltycollection costs under this section and the debtor's 26.27 right to cancellation ofthe penaltycollection costs under 26.28 subdivision 3 at the time the agency sends notice to the debtor 26.29 under section 16D.07. If the commissioner or private agency 26.30 collects an amount less than the total due, the payment is 26.31 applied proportionally tothe penaltycollection costs and the 26.32 underlying debt unless the commissioner of finance has waived 26.33 this requirement for certain categories of debt pursuant to the 26.34 department's internal guidelines.PenaltiesCollection costs 26.35 collected by the commissioner under this subdivision or retained 26.36 under subdivision 6 shall be deposited in the general fund as 27.1 nondedicated receipts.PenaltiesCollection costs collected by 27.2 private agencies are appropriated to the referring agency to pay 27.3 the collection fees charged by the private agency.Penalty27.4 Collections of collection costs in excess of collection agency 27.5 fees must be deposited in the general fund as nondedicated 27.6 receipts. 27.7 Subd. 2. [COMPUTATION.]Beginning July 1, 1995,At the 27.8 time a debt is referred, the amount ofthe penaltycollection 27.9 costs is equal to 15 percent of the debt, or 25 percent of the 27.10 debt remaining unpaid if the commissioner or private collection 27.11 agency has to take enforced collection action by serving a 27.12 summons and complaint on or entering judgment against the 27.13 debtor, or by utilizing any of the remedies authorized under 27.14 section 16D.08, subdivision 2, except for the remedies in 27.15 sections 270.06, clause (7), and 270.66 or when referred by the 27.16 commissioner for additional collection activity by a private 27.17 collection agency. If, after referral of a debt to a private 27.18 collection agency, the debtor requests cancellation ofthe27.19penaltycollection costs under subdivision 3, the debt must be 27.20 returned to the commissioner for resolution of the request. 27.21 Subd. 3. [CANCELLATION.]The penaltyCollection costs 27.22 imposed under subdivision 1 shall be canceled and subtracted 27.23 from the amount due if: 27.24 (1) the debtor's household income as defined in section 27.25 290A.03, subdivision 5, excluding the exemption subtractions in 27.26 subdivision 3, paragraph (3) of that section, for the 12 months 27.27 preceding the date of referral is less than twice the annual 27.28 federal poverty guideline under United States Code, title 42, 27.29 section 9902, subsection (2); 27.30 (2) within 60 days after the first contact with the debtor 27.31 by the enterprise or collection agency, the debtor establishes 27.32 reasonable cause for the failure to pay the debt prior to 27.33 referral of the debt to the enterprise; 27.34 (3) a good faith dispute as to the legitimacy or the amount 27.35 of the debt is made, and payment is remitted or a payment 27.36 agreement is entered into within 30 days after resolution of the 28.1 dispute; 28.2 (4) good faith litigation occurs and the debtor's position 28.3 is substantially justified, and if the debtor does not totally 28.4 prevail, the debt is paid or a payment agreement is entered into 28.5 within 30 days after the judgment becomes final and 28.6 nonappealable; or 28.7 (5)penaltiescollection costs have been added by the 28.8 referring agency and are included in the amount of the referred 28.9 debt. 28.10 Subd. 4. [APPEAL.] Decisions of the commissioner denying 28.11 an application to cancelthe penaltycollection costs under 28.12 subdivision 3 are subject to the contested case procedure under 28.13 chapter 14. 28.14 Subd. 5. [REFUND.] Ifa penalty iscollection costs are 28.15 collected and then canceled, the amount of thepenalty28.16 collection costs shall be refunded to the debtor within 30 28.17 days. The amount necessary to pay the refunds is annually 28.18 appropriated to the commissioner. 28.19 Subd. 6. [CHARGE TO REFERRING AGENCY.] Ifthe penalty28.20iscollection costs are canceled under subdivision 3, an amount 28.21 equal to the penalty is retained by the commissioner from the 28.22 debt collected, and is accounted for and subject to the same 28.23 provisions of this chapter as if the penalty had been collected 28.24 from the debtor. 28.25 Subd. 7. [ADJUSTMENT OF RATE.] By June 1 of each year, the 28.26 commissioner of finance shall determine the rate ofthe28.27penaltycollection costs for debts referred to the enterprise 28.28 during the next fiscal year. The rate is a percentage of the 28.29 debts in an amount that most nearly equals the costs of the 28.30 enterprise necessary to process and collect referred debts under 28.31 this chapter. In no event shall the rate ofthe penalty28.32 collection costs when a debt is first referred exceed 28.33 three-fifths of the maximumpenaltycollection costs, and in no 28.34 event shall the rate of the maximumpenaltycollection costs 28.35 exceed 25 percent of the debt. Determination of the rate ofthe28.36penaltycollection costs under this section is not subject to 29.1 the fee setting requirements of section 16A.1285. 29.2 Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16D.16, is 29.3 amended to read: 29.4 16D.16 [SETOFFS.] 29.5 Subdivision 1. [AUTHORIZATION.] Unless prohibited by other 29.6 law, the state agency utilizes a more specific setoff statute, 29.7 or the state payments are subject to a more specific setoff 29.8 statute, the commissioner or a state agency may automatically 29.9 deduct the amount of a debt owed to the state from any state 29.10 payment due to the debtor, except tax refunds, earned income tax29.11credit, child care tax credit, prejudgment debts of $5,000 or29.12less, funds exempt under section 550.37, or funds owed an29.13individual who receives. Earned income tax credit, child care 29.14 credit, funds exempt under section 550.37, or funds owed to an 29.15 individual who is receiving assistance under the provisions of 29.16 chapter 256 are not subject to setoff under thischapter29.17 section. If a debtor has entered into a written payment plan 29.18 with respect to payment of a specified debt, the right of setoff 29.19 may not be used to satisfy that debt. Notwithstanding section 29.20 181.79, the state may deduct from the wages due or earned by a 29.21 state employee to collect a debt, subject to the limitations in 29.22 section 571.922. 29.23 Subd. 2. [NOTICE AND HEARING.] Before setoff, the 29.24 commissioner or state agency shall mail written notice by 29.25 certified mail to the debtor, addressed to the debtor's last 29.26 known address, that the commissioner or state agency intends to 29.27 set off a debt owed to the state by the debtor against future 29.28 payments due the debtor from the state. For debts owed to the 29.29 state that have not been reduced to judgment, if noopportunity29.30to be heard oradministrative appeal process or a hearing by an 29.31 impartial decision maker on the validity or accuracy of the debt 29.32 has yet been made available to the debtorto contest the29.33validity or accuracy of the debt, before setoff for a 29.34 prejudgment debt, the notice to the debtor must advise that the 29.35 debtor has a right to make a written request for a contested 29.36 case hearing on the validity of the debt or the right to 30.1 setoff. The debtor has 30 days from the date of that notice to 30.2 make a written request for a contested case hearing to contest 30.3 the validity of the debt or the right to setoff. The debtor's 30.4 request must state the debtor's reasons for contesting the debt 30.5 or the right to setoff. If the commissioner or state agency 30.6 desires to pursue the right to setoff following receipt of the 30.7 debtor's request for a hearing, the commissioner or state agency 30.8 shall schedule a contested case hearing within 30 days of the 30.9 receipt of the request for the hearing. If the commissioner or 30.10 state agency decides not to pursue the right to setoff, the 30.11 debtor must be notified of that decision. 30.12 Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 30.13 16E.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 30.14 Subd. 3. [ACCESS TO DATA.] The legislature determines that 30.15 the greatest possible access to certain government information 30.16 and data is essential to allow citizens to participate fully in 30.17 a democratic system of government. Certain information and 30.18 data, including, but not limited to the following, must be 30.19 provided free of charge or for a nominal cost associated with 30.20 reproducing the information or data: 30.21 (1) directories of government services and institutions, 30.22 including an electronic version of the guidebook to state agency 30.23 services published by the commissioner of administration; 30.24 (2) legislative and rulemaking information, including an 30.25 electronic version of the State Register, public information 30.26 newsletters, bill text and summaries, bill status information, 30.27 rule status information, meeting schedules, and the text of 30.28 statutes and rules; 30.29 (3) supreme court and court of appeals opinions and general 30.30 judicial information; 30.31 (4) opinions of the attorney general; 30.32 (5) campaign finance and public disclosure board and 30.33 election information; 30.34 (6) public budget information; 30.35 (7) local government documents, such as codes, ordinances, 30.36 minutes, meeting schedules, and other notices in the public 31.1 interest; 31.2 (8) official documents, releases, speeches, and other 31.3 public information issued by government agencies; and 31.4 (9) the text of other government documents and publications 31.5 that government agencies determine are important to public 31.6 understanding of government activities. 31.7 Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 43A.17, 31.8 subdivision 8, is amended to read: 31.9 Subd. 8. [ACCUMULATED VACATION LEAVE.] The commissioner of 31.10 employee relations shall not agree to a collective bargaining 31.11 agreement or recommend a compensation plan pursuant to section 31.12 43A.18, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4, nor shall an arbitrator 31.13 issue an award under sections 179A.01 to 179A.25, if the 31.14 compensation plan, agreement, or award permits an employee to 31.15 convert accumulated vacation leave into cash before separation 31.16 from state service. 31.17 This section does not prohibit the commissioner from 31.18 negotiating a collective bargaining agreement or recommending 31.19 approval of a compensation plan which: (1) permits an employee 31.20 to receive payment for accumulated vacation leave upon beginning 31.21 an unpaid leave of absence approved for more than one year in 31.22 duration if the leave of absence is not for the purpose of 31.23 accepting an unclassified position in state civil service; or 31.24 (2) permits an employee to receive payment for accumulated 31.25 vacation leave upon layoff. 31.26 Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 31.27 43A.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 31.28 Subd. 4. [EMPLOYEE INSURANCE TRUST FUND.] The commissioner 31.29 of employee relations may direct that all or a part of the 31.30 amounts paid for life insurance, hospital, medical, and dental 31.31 benefits, and optional coverages authorized for eligible 31.32 employees and other eligible persons be deposited by the state 31.33 in an employee insurance trust fund in the state treasury, from 31.34 which the approved claims of eligibles are to be paid. 31.35 Investment income and investment losses attributable to the 31.36 investment of the fund shall be credited to the fund. There is 32.1 appropriated from the fund to the commissioner amounts needed to 32.2 pay the approved claims of eligibles, related service charges, 32.3 insurance premiums, costs of the state employee assistance 32.4 program diagnostic and referral services under section 16B.39, 32.5 and refunds. The commissioner shall not market or self-insure 32.6 life insurance. The commissioner may market and self-insure 32.7 dental and optional coverages. Nothing in this subdivision 32.8 precludes the commissioner from determining plan design, 32.9 providing informational materials, or communicating with 32.10 employees about coverages. 32.11 Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 43A.317, 32.12 subdivision 8, is amended to read: 32.13 Subd. 8. [PREMIUMS.] (a) [PAYMENTS.] Employers enrolled 32.14 in the program shall pay premiums according to terms established 32.15 by the commissioner. If an employer fails to make the required 32.16 payments, the commissioner may cancel coverage and pursue other 32.17 civil remedies. 32.18 (b) [RATING METHOD.] The commissioner shall determine the 32.19 premium rates and rating method for the program. The rating 32.20 method for eligible small employers must meet or exceed the 32.21 requirements of chapter 62L. The rating methods must recover in 32.22 premiums all of the ongoing costs for state administration and 32.23 for maintenance of a premium stability and claim fluctuation 32.24 reserve.Premiums must be established so as to recover and32.25repay within five years after July 1, 1993, any direct32.26appropriations received to provide start-up administrative32.27costs. Premiums must be established so as to recover and repay32.28within five years after July 1, 1993, any direct appropriations32.29received to establish initial reserves.On June 30, 1999, after 32.30 paying all necessary and reasonable expenses, the commissioner 32.31 must apply up to $2,075,000 of any remaining balance in the 32.32 Minnesota employees' insurance trust fund to repayment of any 32.33 amounts drawn or expended for this program from the health care 32.34 access fund. 32.35 (c) [TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS.] To the extent that the 32.36 program operates as a self-insured group, the premiums paid to 33.1 the program are not subject to the premium taxes imposed by 33.2 sections 60A.15 and 60A.198, but the program is subject to a 33.3 Minnesota comprehensive health association assessment under 33.4 section 62E.11. 33.5 Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 179A.16, 33.6 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 33.7 Subdivision 1. [NONESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES.] An exclusive 33.8 representative or an employer of a unit of employees other than 33.9 essential employees may request interest arbitration by 33.10 providing written notice of the request to the other party and 33.11 the commissioner. The written request for arbitration must 33.12 specify the items to be submitted to arbitration and whether 33.13 conventional, final-offer total-package, or final-offer 33.14 item-by-item arbitration is contemplated by the request. 33.15 Except for city attorney legal units, the items to be 33.16 submitted to arbitration and the form of arbitration to be used 33.17 are subject to mutual agreement. If an agreement to arbitrate 33.18 is reached, it must be reduced to writing and a copy of the 33.19 agreement filed with the commissioner. A failure to respond, or 33.20 to reach agreement on the items or form of arbitration, within 33.21 15 days of receipt of the request to arbitrate constitutes a 33.22 rejection of the request. 33.23 Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 179A.16, is 33.24 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 33.25 Subd. 1a. [CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL UNITS.] An exclusive 33.26 representative or employer of a city attorney legal unit may 33.27 petition for binding interest arbitration by filing a written 33.28 request with the other party and the commissioner. The written 33.29 request must specify the items that the party wishes to submit 33.30 to binding arbitration. Within 15 days of the request, the 33.31 commissioner shall determine whether further mediation of the 33.32 dispute would be appropriate and shall only certify matters to 33.33 the board in cases where the commissioner believes that both 33.34 parties have made substantial, good faith bargaining efforts and 33.35 that an impasse has occurred. 33.36 Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 179A.16, 34.1 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 34.2 Subd. 3. [PROCEDURE.] Within 15 days from the time the 34.3 commissioner has certified a matter to be ready for binding 34.4 arbitration because of an agreement under subdivision 1 or in 34.5 accordance with subdivision 1a or 2, both parties shall submit 34.6 their final positions on the items in dispute. In the event of 34.7 a dispute over the items to be submitted to binding arbitration 34.8 involving essential employees, the commissioner shall determine 34.9 the items to be decided by arbitration based on the efforts to 34.10 mediate the dispute and the positions submitted by the parties 34.11 during the course of those efforts. The parties may stipulate 34.12 items to be excluded from arbitration. 34.13 Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 179A.16, 34.14 subdivision 9, is amended to read: 34.15 Subd. 9. [NO ARBITRATION.] Failure to reach agreement on 34.16 employer payment of, or contributions toward, premiums for group 34.17 insurance coverage of retired employees is not subject to 34.18 interest arbitration procedures under this section, except for 34.19 units of essential employees and city attorney legal units. 34.20 Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 179A.18, 34.21 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 34.22 Subdivision 1. [WHEN AUTHORIZED.] Essential employees may 34.23 not strike. Except as otherwise provided by subdivision 2 and 34.24 section 179A.17, subdivision 2, other public employees may 34.25 strike only under the following circumstances: 34.26 (1)(a) the collective bargaining agreement between their 34.27 exclusive representative and their employer has expired or, if 34.28 there is no agreement, impasse under section 179A.17, 34.29 subdivision 2, has occurred; and 34.30 (b) the exclusive representative and the employer have 34.31 participated in mediation over a period of at least 45 days, 34.32 provided that the mediation period established by section 34.33 179A.17, subdivision 2, governs negotiations under that section, 34.34 and provided that for the purposes of this subclause the 34.35 mediation period commences on the day following receipt by the 34.36 commissioner of a request for mediation; or 35.1 (2) the employer violates section 179A.13, subdivision 2, 35.2 clause (9); or 35.3 (3) in the case of city attorney legal units, neither the 35.4 exclusive representative nor the employer has petitioned for 35.5 binding interest arbitration in accordance with section 179A.16; 35.6 or 35.7 (4) in the case of state employees,: 35.8 (a) the legislative commission on employee relations has 35.9 rejected a negotiated agreement or arbitration decision during a 35.10 legislative interim; or 35.11 (b) the entire legislature rejects or fails to ratify a 35.12 negotiated agreement or arbitration decision, which has been 35.13 approved during a legislative interim by the legislative 35.14 commission on employee relations, at a special legislative 35.15 session called to consider it, or at its next regular 35.16 legislative session, whichever occurs first. 35.17 Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 35.18 270.063, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 35.19 Subdivision 1. [APPROPRIATION.] For the purpose of 35.20 collecting delinquent state tax liabilities or debts as defined 35.21 in section 16D.02, subdivision 3, there is appropriated to the 35.22 commissioner of revenue an amount representing the cost of 35.23 collection by contract with collection agencies, revenue 35.24 departments of other states, or attorneys to enable the 35.25 commissioner to reimburse these agencies, departments, or 35.26 attorneys for this service. The commissioner shall report 35.27 quarterly on the status of this program to the chair of the 35.28 house tax and appropriation committees and senate tax and 35.29 finance committees. 35.30 Sec. 52. [325G.53] [CONSUMER EDUCATION; TELEMARKETING 35.31 FRAUD.] 35.32 Subdivision 1. [ESTABLISHMENT.] The attorney general shall 35.33 establish an outreach advocacy network to educate citizens of 35.34 the state with respect to telemarketing fraud. 35.35 Subd. 2. [DUTIES.] The advocacy network shall: 35.36 (1) conduct clinics and seminars throughout the state to 36.1 educate consumers with respect to telemarketing fraud, including 36.2 providing an explanation of rights under federal and state law, 36.3 such as the right to be placed on an individual business's 36.4 no-call list, and recommending effective strategies to combat 36.5 fraud; 36.6 (2) facilitate outreach to groups particularly susceptible 36.7 to telemarketing fraud by training advocates for senior citizens 36.8 and other consumer groups to conduct clinics and seminars in 36.9 their communities; 36.10 (3) prepare and publish informational brochures on 36.11 telemarketing fraud for distribution to consumers; and 36.12 (4) serve as an information clearinghouse within the state 36.13 to assist consumers and others to obtain information with 36.14 respect to current fraudulent telemarketing activity in the 36.15 state. 36.16 Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 469.177, 36.17 subdivision 11, is amended to read: 36.18 Subd. 11. [DEDUCTION FOR ENFORCEMENT COSTS; 36.19 APPROPRIATION.] (a) The county treasurer shall deduct an amount 36.20 equal to0.10.2 percent of any increment distributed to an 36.21 authority or municipality. The county treasurer shall pay the 36.22 amount deducted to the state treasurer for deposit in the state 36.23 general fund. 36.24 (b) The amounts deducted and paid under paragraph (a) are 36.25 appropriated to the state auditor for the cost of (1) the 36.26 financial reporting of tax increment financing information and 36.27 (2) the cost of examining and auditing of authorities' use of 36.28 tax increment financing as provided under section 469.1771, 36.29 subdivision 1. Notwithstanding section 16A.28 or any other law 36.30 to the contrary, this appropriation does not cancel and remains 36.31 available until spent. 36.32 Sec. 54. Laws 1997, chapter 202, article 4, section 13, 36.33 subdivision 7, is amended to read: 36.34 Subd. 7. [EXPIRATION.] This section expiresJune 30,36.351998December 31, 1998. 36.36 Sec. 55. [ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP EXPANDED.] 37.1 (a) The membership of the advisory council on 37.2 community-based planning established under Laws 1997, chapter 37.3 202, article 4, section 13, subdivision 3, is increased by six 37.4 voting members appointed as follows: 37.5 (1) two members appointed by the association of counties; 37.6 (2) two members appointed by the township officers 37.7 association; 37.8 (3) one member appointed by the coalition of greater 37.9 Minnesota cities; and 37.10 (4) one member appointed by the Minnesota association of 37.11 small cities. 37.12 (b) All of the members appointed under paragraph (a), 37.13 clauses (1) to (4), must reside outside of the seven-county 37.14 metropolitan area. 37.15 Sec. 56. [FUNDING FROM EXISTING BUDGET.] 37.16 The office of strategic and long-range planning shall 37.17 provide administrative and staff support, and otherwise pay the 37.18 costs of the advisory council, including extra costs imposed by 37.19 section 55, on community-based planning out of its existing 37.20 budget. 37.21 Sec. 57. [SETTLEMENT DIVISION; TRANSFER OF JUDGES.] 37.22 The office of administrative hearings shall establish a 37.23 settlement division. The workers' compensation judges at the 37.24 department of labor and industry, together with their support 37.25 staff, offices, furnishings, equipment, and supplies, are 37.26 transferred to the settlement division of the office of 37.27 administrative hearings. Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, 37.28 applies to the transfer of employees. The settlement division 37.29 of the office of administrative hearings shall maintain offices 37.30 in the cities of St. Paul, Duluth, and Detroit Lakes. The 37.31 office of a judge in the settlement division of the office of 37.32 administrative hearings and the support staff of the judge may 37.33 be located in a building that contains offices of the department 37.34 of labor and industry. The seniority of a workers' compensation 37.35 judge at the office of administrative hearings, after the 37.36 transfer, shall be based on the total length of service at 38.1 either agency. For purposes of the commissioner's plan under 38.2 Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.18, subdivision 2, all 38.3 compensation judges at the office of administrative hearings 38.4 shall be considered to be in the same employment condition, the 38.5 same organizational unit and qualified for work in either 38.6 division. 38.7 Sec. 58. [TRANSFER.] 38.8 Subdivision 1. [DUTIES AFFECTED.] (a) The powers and 38.9 duties assigned to the workers' compensation judges at the 38.10 department of labor and industry on July 1, 1997, shall be 38.11 transferred from the commissioner of the department of labor and 38.12 industry to the workers' compensation judges in the settlement 38.13 division of the office of administrative hearings. These powers 38.14 and duties include the following: 38.15 (1) the authority to conduct settlement conferences and 38.16 issue summary decisions; 38.17 (2) the authority to approve settlement agreements and 38.18 issue orders on agreements; 38.19 (3) the authority to conduct administrative discontinuance 38.20 conferences, make determinations and issue orders regarding the 38.21 discontinuance disputes; 38.22 (4) the authority to issue orders on motions and conduct 38.23 special term evidentiary hearings related to the motions; 38.24 (5) the authority to approve attorney fees and award 38.25 taxable costs; 38.26 (6) the authority to make allocations of dependency 38.27 benefits; 38.28 (7) the authority to issue temporary orders; 38.29 (8) the authority to make an award regarding the remodeling 38.30 of the residence of a handicapped employee; 38.31 (9) the authority to conduct administrative conferences, 38.32 make determinations and issue orders regarding medical disputes 38.33 except where the amount in dispute is $1,500 or less; 38.34 (10) the authority to conduct administrative conferences, 38.35 make determinations and issue orders regarding retraining 38.36 disputes; and 39.1 (11) the authority to conduct administrative conferences, 39.2 make determinations and issue orders regarding any medical or 39.3 rehabilitation dispute where the commissioner of the department 39.4 of labor and industry determines that the issues involved should 39.5 be determined by a judge. 39.6 (b) The transfer of the power and duty to conduct 39.7 settlement conferences and approve settlement agreements does 39.8 not affect the ability of the commissioner of the department of 39.9 labor and industry to provide voluntary mediation services and 39.10 approve mediation agreements. The powers and duties assigned to 39.11 the customer assistance teams on July 1, 1997, shall remain at 39.12 the department of labor and industry. These powers shall 39.13 include: 39.14 (1) the authority to conduct voluntary mediation sessions; 39.15 (2) the authority to review mediation agreements and issue 39.16 mediation awards; 39.17 (3) the authority to conduct administrative conferences, 39.18 make determinations, and issue orders regarding rehabilitation 39.19 services and plans, other than disputes involving retraining; 39.20 (4) the authority to conduct administrative conferences, 39.21 make determinations, and issue orders regarding medical disputes 39.22 when the amount in dispute is $1,500 or less; and 39.23 (5) the authority to award interest in any matter decided 39.24 by the commissioner. 39.25 Subd. 2. [REFERRAL.] Within ten days of filing, the 39.26 commissioner shall refer all claim petitions and petitions for 39.27 temporary orders, statements of attorney fees, objections to 39.28 penalty assessments, and any other formal petitions or related 39.29 filings, to the settlement division of the office of 39.30 administrative hearings for review by a compensation judge, the 39.31 compensation judge shall determine whether a settlement 39.32 conference or other action is appropriate. Within ten days of 39.33 filing, the commissioner shall refer all medical requests except 39.34 where the amount in dispute is $1,500 or less, to the settlement 39.35 division of the office of administrative hearings for 39.36 administrative conference. 40.1 Subd. 3. [PROHIBITION.] The commissioner of administration 40.2 may not use authority in Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.37, nor 40.3 may any other executive branch official use this or any other 40.4 authority, to transfer powers, duties, work, or employees 40.5 relating to workers compensation judges. 40.6 Sec. 59. [TRANSFER OF FUNDS.] 40.7 The commissioner of finance shall, after consultation with 40.8 the commissioner of the department of labor and industry and the 40.9 chief administrative law judge, make the appropriate transfer of 40.10 funds from the department of labor and industry to the office of 40.11 administrative hearings. The funds transferred shall be 40.12 sufficient to provide for the smooth operation of the settlement 40.13 division and pay the salaries of all personnel transferred to 40.14 the office of administrative hearings plus the salaries for any 40.15 judge or support staff positions that were filled on October 1, 40.16 1997, but are vacant on the effective date of this act. The 40.17 commissioner of finance shall report to the legislature if the 40.18 appropriation for the department of labor and industry is 40.19 insufficient following the transfer of funds. 40.20 Sec. 60. [SMALL CLAIMS COURT TRANSFER.] 40.21 The small claims court at the department of labor and 40.22 industry is transferred to the office of administrative hearings. 40.23 Sec. 61. [NO EFFECT ON CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.] 40.24 Sections 57 to 60 do not abrogate or modify the terms of a 40.25 memorandum of understanding entered into by the state and an 40.26 exclusive representative of state employees affected by the 40.27 transfer of duties in sections 57 to 60. 40.28 Sec. 62. [PORTRAIT.] 40.29 If a private donor provides or provides funds for a museum 40.30 quality portrait of Rudy and Lola Perpich based on the portrait 40.31 currently on display at the Minnesota historical society, the 40.32 state must accept the gift. The commissioner of administration 40.33 shall substitute the portrait of Rudy and Lola Perpich for the 40.34 portrait of Governor Rudy Perpich that currently is displayed on 40.35 the ground floor of the state capitol. 40.36 Sec. 63. [LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENTAL STEERING 41.1 COMMITTEE.] 41.2 Subdivision 1. [COMMITTEE.] The environmental quality 41.3 board shall establish the livestock industry environmental 41.4 steering committee consisting of representatives of the 41.5 livestock industry, environmental interests, and other 41.6 stakeholders. The livestock environmental steering committee 41.7 shall advise the environmental quality board on the scope and 41.8 content of the generic environmental impact statement required 41.9 in subdivision 2. 41.10 Compensation of members and reimbursement of their expenses 41.11 is governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059. The 41.12 committee expires upon completion of the generic environmental 41.13 impact statement required in subdivision 2 and presentation of 41.14 the final report to the legislature. 41.15 Subd. 2. [GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.] A 41.16 generic environmental impact statement must be prepared under 41.17 the direction of the environmental quality board to examine the 41.18 long-term effects of the livestock industry as it exists and as 41.19 it is changing on the economy, environment, and way of life of 41.20 Minnesota and its citizens. The study may address: 41.21 (1) the overall dimensions of animal agriculture in 41.22 Minnesota, including species of livestock; an inventory of 41.23 numbers, types, and locations of facilities; and the related 41.24 support networks and economic activity involved in the life 41.25 cycles of livestock; 41.26 (2) environmental issues associated with livestock 41.27 production from growing feed to raising the animals to their 41.28 shipment to their processing and sale to consumer; effects on 41.29 air, groundwater, surface water, land, and other aspects of the 41.30 environment both within and without the state examined and 41.31 correlated to various management practices, facilities, and 41.32 other variables affecting the environment; 41.33 (3) economic issues such as the various financial and 41.34 ownership arrangements currently or potentially used in the 41.35 industries, patterns of vertical integration, size, long-term 41.36 sustainability of various forms of ownership and production 42.1 methods, access to markets, current and anticipated financial 42.2 trends, effects of governmental policies, and comparative 42.3 economic impact of alternative means of production; and 42.4 (4) the roles of various units of government in regulation 42.5 of various aspects of feedlot operation including federal, 42.6 state, interstate bodies, counties, townships, soil conservation 42.7 districts, watershed districts, and others with planning, 42.8 zoning, or environmental responsibilities. 42.9 Subd. 3. [EXPIRATION.] This section expires on June 30, 42.10 2001. 42.11 Sec. 64. [CONTRACT REVIEW.] 42.12 The commissioner of the department of administration may 42.13 not implement the contract which is the subject of a request for 42.14 declaratory ruling before the Federal Communications Commission 42.15 in FCC Docket No. 98-1 until the later of September 1, 1998, or 42.16 until the chairs and lead minority members of the house and 42.17 senate governmental operations committees have had an 42.18 opportunity to review the policy implications of this contract 42.19 with their respective committees and other relevant committees 42.20 and provide the commissioner advice as to the advisability and 42.21 appropriateness of the contract. 42.22 Sec. 65. [INSTRUCTION TO REVISOR.] 42.23 The revisor of statutes shall change the term "settlement 42.24 judge" to "compensation judge" wherever it appears in Minnesota 42.25 Statutes and Minnesota Rules. 42.26 Sec. 66. [REPEALER.] 42.27 (a) Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 3.971, subdivision 3; 42.28 and Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, sections 16A.11, 42.29 subdivision 3c; and 241.015, are repealed. 42.30 (b) Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, sections 394.232, 42.31 subdivision 5; and 572A.01, are repealed. 42.32 Sec. 67. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 42.33 (a) Sections 17 to 19, 26 to 30, 54 to 60, and 66, 42.34 paragraph (a), are effective the day following final enactment. 42.35 (b) Section 33 is effective August 1, 1998. 42.36 (c) All appropriations for fiscal year 1998 are effective 43.1 the day following final enactment. 43.2 ARTICLE 2 43.3 AGENCY PERFORMANCE REPORTS 43.4 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16A.055, 43.5 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 43.6 Subd. 6. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 43.7 department's mission that within the department's resources the 43.8 commissioner shall endeavor to: 43.9 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 43.10 money; 43.11 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 43.12 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 43.13 efficiently as possible; 43.14 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 43.15 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 43.16 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 43.17 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 43.18 to information about government, and increase public 43.19 participation in the business of government; 43.20 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 43.21 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 43.22 179A; 43.23 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 43.24 legislature on the performancereport required under section43.2515.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when43.26appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 43.27 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report43.28of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 43.29 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 43.30 the performance of the department. 43.31 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16B.04, 43.32 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 43.33 Subd. 4. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 43.34 department's mission that within the department's resources the 43.35 commissioner shall endeavor to: 43.36 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 44.1 money; 44.2 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 44.3 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 44.4 efficiently as possible; 44.5 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 44.6 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 44.7 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 44.8 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 44.9 to information about government, and increase public 44.10 participation in the business of government; 44.11 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 44.12 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 44.13 179A; 44.14 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 44.15 legislature on the performancereport required under section44.1615.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when44.17appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 44.18 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report44.19of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 44.20 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 44.21 the performance of the department. 44.22 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 17.03, 44.23 subdivision 11, is amended to read: 44.24 Subd. 11. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 44.25 department's mission that within the department's resources the 44.26 commissioner shall endeavor to: 44.27 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 44.28 money; 44.29 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 44.30 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 44.31 efficiently as possible; 44.32 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 44.33 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 44.34 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 44.35 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 44.36 to information about government, and increase public 45.1 participation in the business of government; 45.2 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 45.3 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 45.4 179A; 45.5 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 45.6 legislature on the performancereport required under section45.715.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when45.8appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 45.9 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report45.10of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 45.11 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 45.12 the performance of the department. 45.13 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 43A.04, 45.14 subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 45.15 Subd. 1a. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 45.16 department's mission that within the department's resources the 45.17 commissioner shall endeavor to: 45.18 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 45.19 money; 45.20 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 45.21 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 45.22 efficiently as possible; 45.23 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 45.24 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 45.25 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 45.26 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 45.27 to information about government, and increase public 45.28 participation in the business of government; 45.29 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 45.30 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 45.31 179A; 45.32 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 45.33 legislature on the performancereport required under section45.3415.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when45.35appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 45.36 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report46.1of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 46.2 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 46.3 the performance of the department. 46.4 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 45.012, is 46.5 amended to read: 46.6 45.012 [COMMISSIONER.] 46.7 (a) The department of commerce is under the supervision and 46.8 control of the commissioner of commerce. The commissioner is 46.9 appointed by the governor in the manner provided by section 46.10 15.06. 46.11 (b) Data that is received by the commissioner or the 46.12 commissioner's designee by virtue of membership or participation 46.13 in an association, group, or organization that is not otherwise 46.14 subject to chapter 13 is confidential or protected nonpublic 46.15 data but may be shared with the department employees as the 46.16 commissioner considers appropriate. The commissioner may 46.17 release the data to any person, agency, or the public if the 46.18 commissioner determines that the access will aid the law 46.19 enforcement process, promote public health or safety, or dispel 46.20 widespread rumor or unrest. 46.21 (c) It is part of the department's mission that within the 46.22 department's resources the commissioner shall endeavor to: 46.23 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 46.24 money; 46.25 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 46.26 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 46.27 efficiently as possible; 46.28 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 46.29 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 46.30 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 46.31 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 46.32 to information about government, and increase public 46.33 participation in the business of government; 46.34 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 46.35 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 46.36 179A; 47.1 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 47.2 legislature on the performancereport required under section47.315.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when47.4appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 47.5 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report47.6of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 47.7 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 47.8 the performance of the department. 47.9 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 84.027, 47.10 subdivision 14, is amended to read: 47.11 Subd. 14. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 47.12 department's mission that within the department's resources the 47.13 commissioner shall endeavor to: 47.14 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 47.15 money; 47.16 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 47.17 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 47.18 efficiently as possible; 47.19 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 47.20 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 47.21 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 47.22 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 47.23 to information about government, and increase public 47.24 participation in the business of government; 47.25 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 47.26 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 47.27 179A; 47.28 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 47.29 legislature on the performancereport required under section47.3015.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operationswhen47.31appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 47.32 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report47.33of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 47.34 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 47.35 the performance of the department. 47.36 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 116.03, 48.1 subdivision 2a, is amended to read: 48.2 Subd. 2a. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 48.3 agency's mission that within the agency's resources the 48.4 commissioner and the members of the agency shall endeavor to: 48.5 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 48.6 money; 48.7 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 48.8 manage the state's resources and operate the agency as 48.9 efficiently as possible; 48.10 (3) coordinate the agency's activities wherever appropriate 48.11 with the activities of other governmental agencies; 48.12 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 48.13 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 48.14 to information about government, and increase public 48.15 participation in the business of government; 48.16 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 48.17 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 48.18 179A; 48.19 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 48.20 legislature on the performancereport required under section48.2115.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when48.22appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 48.23 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report48.24of the agency required under section 15.91,appropriate changes 48.25 in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve the 48.26 performance of the agency. 48.27 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 116J.011, is 48.28 amended to read: 48.29 116J.011 [MISSION.] 48.30 The mission of the department of trade and economic 48.31 development is to employ all of the available state government 48.32 resources to facilitate an economic environment that produces 48.33 net new job growth in excess of the national average and to 48.34 increase nonresident and resident tourism revenues. It is part 48.35 of the department's mission that within the department's 48.36 resources the commissioner shall endeavor to: 49.1 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 49.2 money; 49.3 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 49.4 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 49.5 efficiently as possible; 49.6 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 49.7 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 49.8 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 49.9 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 49.10 to information about government, and increase public 49.11 participation in the business of government; 49.12 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 49.13 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 49.14 179A; 49.15 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 49.16 legislature on the performancereport required under section49.1715.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when49.18appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 49.19 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report49.20of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 49.21 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 49.22 the performance of the department. 49.23 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 49.24 120.0111, is amended to read: 49.25 120.0111 [MISSION STATEMENT.] 49.26 The mission of public education in Minnesota, a system for 49.27 lifelong learning, is to ensure individual academic achievement, 49.28 an informed citizenry, and a highly productive work force. This 49.29 system focuses on the learner, promotes and values diversity, 49.30 provides participatory decision making, ensures accountability, 49.31 models democratic principles, creates and sustains a climate for 49.32 change, provides personalized learning environments, encourages 49.33 learners to reach their maximum potential, and integrates and 49.34 coordinates human services for learners. The public schools of 49.35 this state shall serve the needs of the students by cooperating 49.36 with the students' parents and legal guardians to develop the 50.1 students' intellectual capabilities and lifework skills in a 50.2 safe and positive environment. It is part of the department's 50.3 mission that within the department's resources the commissioner 50.4 shall endeavor to: 50.5 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 50.6 money; 50.7 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 50.8 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 50.9 efficiently as possible; 50.10 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 50.11 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 50.12 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 50.13 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 50.14 to information about government, and increase public 50.15 participation in the business of government; 50.16 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 50.17 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 50.18 179A; 50.19 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 50.20 legislature on the performancereport required under section50.2115.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when50.22appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 50.23 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report50.24of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 50.25 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 50.26 the performance of the department. 50.27 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 144.05, 50.28 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 50.29 Subd. 2. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 50.30 department's mission that within the department's resources the 50.31 commissioner shall endeavor to: 50.32 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 50.33 money; 50.34 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 50.35 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 50.36 efficiently as possible; 51.1 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 51.2 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 51.3 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 51.4 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 51.5 to information about government, and increase public 51.6 participation in the business of government; 51.7 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 51.8 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 51.9 179A; 51.10 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 51.11 legislature on the performancereport required under section51.1215.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when51.13appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 51.14 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report51.15of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 51.16 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 51.17 the performance of the department. 51.18 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 174.02, 51.19 subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 51.20 Subd. 1a. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 51.21 department's mission that within the department's resources the 51.22 commissioner shall endeavor to: 51.23 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 51.24 money; 51.25 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 51.26 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 51.27 efficiently as possible; 51.28 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 51.29 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 51.30 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 51.31 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 51.32 to information about government, and increase public 51.33 participation in the business of government; 51.34 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 51.35 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 51.36 179A; 52.1 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 52.2 legislature on the performancereport required under section52.315.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when52.4appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 52.5 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report52.6of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 52.7 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 52.8 the performance of the department. 52.9 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 175.001, 52.10 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 52.11 Subd. 6. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 52.12 department's mission that within the department's resources the 52.13 commissioner shall endeavor to: 52.14 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 52.15 money; 52.16 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 52.17 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 52.18 efficiently as possible; 52.19 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 52.20 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 52.21 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 52.22 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 52.23 to information about government, and increase public 52.24 participation in the business of government; 52.25 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 52.26 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 52.27 179A; 52.28 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 52.29 legislature on the performancereport required under section52.3015.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when52.31appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 52.32 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report52.33of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 52.34 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 52.35 the performance of the department. 52.36 Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 190.09, 53.1 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 53.2 Subd. 2. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 53.3 department's mission that within the department's resources the 53.4 adjutant general shall endeavor to: 53.5 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 53.6 money; 53.7 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 53.8 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 53.9 efficiently as possible; 53.10 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 53.11 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 53.12 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 53.13 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 53.14 to information about government, and increase public 53.15 participation in the business of government; 53.16 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 53.17 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 53.18 179A; 53.19 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 53.20 legislature on the performancereport required under section53.2115.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when53.22appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 53.23 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report53.24of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 53.25 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 53.26 the performance of the department. 53.27 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 196.05, 53.28 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 53.29 Subd. 2. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 53.30 department's mission that within the department's resources the 53.31 commissioner shall endeavor to: 53.32 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 53.33 money; 53.34 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 53.35 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 53.36 efficiently as possible; 54.1 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 54.2 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 54.3 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 54.4 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 54.5 to information about government, and increase public 54.6 participation in the business of government; 54.7 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 54.8 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 54.9 179A; 54.10 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 54.11 legislature on the performancereport required under section54.1215.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when54.13appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 54.14 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report54.15of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 54.16 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 54.17 the performance of the department. 54.18 Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 216A.07, 54.19 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 54.20 Subd. 6. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 54.21 department's mission that within the department's resources the 54.22 commissioner shall endeavor to: 54.23 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 54.24 money; 54.25 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 54.26 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 54.27 efficiently as possible; 54.28 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 54.29 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 54.30 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 54.31 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 54.32 to information about government, and increase public 54.33 participation in the business of government; 54.34 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 54.35 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 54.36 179A; 55.1 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 55.2 legislature on the performancereport required under section55.315.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when55.4appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 55.5 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report55.6of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 55.7 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 55.8 the performance of the department. 55.9 Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 55.10 241.01, subdivision 3b, is amended to read: 55.11 Subd. 3b. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 55.12 department's mission that within the department's resources the 55.13 commissioner shall endeavor to: 55.14 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 55.15 money; 55.16 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 55.17 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 55.18 efficiently as possible; 55.19 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 55.20 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 55.21 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 55.22 productivity, improve service to the public, increase public 55.23 access to information about government, and increase public 55.24 participation in the business of government; 55.25 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 55.26 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 55.27 179A; 55.28 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 55.29 legislature on the performancereport required under sections55.3015.91 and 241.015 to increase the efficiencyof agency 55.31 operations, when appropriateand the accomplishment of agency 55.32 goals; and 55.33 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report55.34of the department required under sections 15.91 and 241.015,55.35 appropriate changes in law necessary to carry out the 55.36 mission and improve the performance of the department. 56.1 Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 56.2 245.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 56.3 Subd. 2. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 56.4 department's mission that within the department's resources the 56.5 commissioner shall endeavor to: 56.6 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 56.7 money; 56.8 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 56.9 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 56.10 efficiently as possible, including the authority to consolidate 56.11 different nonentitlement grant programs, having similar 56.12 functions or serving similar populations, as may be determined 56.13 by the commissioner, while protecting the original purposes of 56.14 the programs. Nonentitlement grant funds consolidated by the 56.15 commissioner shall be reflected in the department's biennial 56.16 budget. With approval of the commissioner, vendors who are 56.17 eligible for funding from any of the commissioner's granting 56.18 authority under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (1), 56.19 clause (f), may submit a single application for a grant 56.20 agreement including multiple awards; 56.21 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 56.22 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 56.23 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 56.24 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 56.25 to information about government, and increase public 56.26 participation in the business of government; 56.27 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 56.28 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 56.29 179A; 56.30 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 56.31 legislature on the performancereport required under section56.3215.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when56.33appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 56.34 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report56.35of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 56.36 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 57.1 the performance of the department. 57.2 Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 268.0122, 57.3 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 57.4 Subd. 6. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 57.5 department's mission that within the department's resources the 57.6 commissioner shall endeavor to: 57.7 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 57.8 money; 57.9 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 57.10 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 57.11 efficiently as possible; 57.12 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 57.13 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 57.14 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 57.15 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 57.16 to information about government, and increase public 57.17 participation in the business of government; 57.18 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 57.19 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 57.20 179A; 57.21 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 57.22 legislature on the performancereport required under section57.2315.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when57.24appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 57.25 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report57.26of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 57.27 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 57.28 the performance of the department. 57.29 Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 270.02, 57.30 subdivision 3a, is amended to read: 57.31 Subd. 3a. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 57.32 department's mission that within the department's resources the 57.33 commissioner shall endeavor to: 57.34 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 57.35 money; 57.36 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 58.1 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 58.2 efficiently as possible; 58.3 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 58.4 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 58.5 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 58.6 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 58.7 to information about government, and increase public 58.8 participation in the business of government; 58.9 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 58.10 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 58.11 179A; 58.12 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 58.13 legislature on the performancereport required under section58.1415.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when58.15appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 58.16 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report58.17of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 58.18 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 58.19 the performance of the department. 58.20 Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 299A.01, 58.21 subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 58.22 Subd. 1a. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 58.23 department's mission that within the department's resources the 58.24 commissioner shall endeavor to: 58.25 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 58.26 money; 58.27 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 58.28 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 58.29 efficiently as possible; 58.30 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 58.31 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 58.32 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 58.33 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 58.34 to information about government, and increase public 58.35 participation in the business of government; 58.36 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 59.1 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 59.2 179A; 59.3 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 59.4 legislature on the performancereport required under section59.515.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when59.6appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 59.7 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report59.8of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 59.9 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 59.10 the performance of the department. 59.11 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 363.05, 59.12 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 59.13 Subd. 3. [MISSION; EFFICIENCY.] It is part of the 59.14 department's mission that within the department's resources the 59.15 commissioner shall endeavor to: 59.16 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public 59.17 money; 59.18 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to 59.19 manage the state's resources and operate the department as 59.20 efficiently as possible; 59.21 (3) coordinate the department's activities wherever 59.22 appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies; 59.23 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency 59.24 productivity, improve customer service, increase public access 59.25 to information about government, and increase public 59.26 participation in the business of government; 59.27 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management 59.28 practices to the extent otherwise required by chapters 43A and 59.29 179A; 59.30 (6)include specific objectives inreport to the 59.31 legislature on the performancereport required under section59.3215.91 to increase the efficiencyof agency operations, when59.33appropriateand the accomplishment of agency goals; and 59.34 (7) recommend to the legislature, in the performance report59.35of the department required under section 15.91,appropriate 59.36 changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and improve 60.1 the performance of the department. 60.2 Sec. 22. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 60.3 Sections 1 to 21 are effective the day following final 60.4 enactment.