SF 2073

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 10/08/2015 02:02pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; requiring a study of the prospects for reorganizing
energy activities among state agencies; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS; STUDY.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of administration shall contract with the Management
Analysis and Development unit of the Department of Management and Budget for a
study to examine potential cost savings and program efficiencies that may result from
transferring certain functions and staff of the Division of Energy Resources in the
Department of Commerce to the Public Utilities Commission.
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new text begin (b) In conducting the study, the Management Analysis and Development unit must:
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new text begin (1) analyze the functions of the various offices of both the Division of Energy
Resources and the commission;
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new text begin (2) assess any duplicative functions of staff and redundant management positions;
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new text begin (3) assess whether transferring specific functions and staff would result in a clearer
and more functional link between authority and responsibility for accomplishing various
activities;
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new text begin (4) consider whether any such transfers would make governmental decisions
regarding energy more transparent to the public;
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new text begin (5) determine which specific positions, including administrative support, could be
eliminated as a result of the transfer without appreciably diminishing the quantity or
quality of work produced;
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new text begin (6) calculate the budgetary savings that could be realized as a result of transferring
functions and eliminating redundant positions;
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new text begin (7) estimate any cost savings that would accrue to regulated utilities as a result
of transferring functions;
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new text begin (8) assess the benefits and costs of various options with respect to transferring
functions and staff; and
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new text begin (9) assume that any transfer is subject to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes,
section 15.039.
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new text begin (c) The study under this section must be submitted to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over
energy policy and state government operations by January 1, 2016.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of administration for the purpose of completing the study described in section 1.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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