SF 2543

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/11/2014 10:06am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing a Minnesota TANF Expenditures Task
Force.

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

Section 1. MINNESOTA TANF EXPENDITURES TASK FORCE.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

The Minnesota TANF Expenditures Task Force is
established to analyze past temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) expenditures
and make recommendations as to which, if any, programs currently receiving TANF
funding should be funded by the general fund so that a greater portion of TANF funds
can go directly to Minnesota families receiving assistance through the Minnesota family
investment program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J.

Subd. 2.

Membership; meetings; staff.

(a) The task force shall be composed of the
following members who serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority:

(1) one representative of the Department of Human Services appointed by the
commissioner of human services;

(2) one representative of the Department of Management and Budget appointed by
the commissioner of management and budget;

(3) two representatives of county government appointed by the Association of
Minnesota Counties, one representing counties in the seven-county metropolitan area
and one representing all other counties;

(4) one representative of the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition;

(5) one representative of the Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota;

(6) one representative of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless;

(7) one representative of the Welfare Rights Coalition;

(8) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of
the house and one appointed by the minority leader; and

(9) two members of the senate, including one member of the minority party,
appointed according to the rules of the senate.

(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, members of the task force
shall serve without compensation or reimbursement of expenses.

(c) The commissioner of human services must convene the first meeting of the
Minnesota TANF Expenditures Task Force by July 31, 2014. The task force must meet at
least quarterly.

(d) Staffing and technical assistance shall be provided by the Department of Human
Services, children and family services division.

Subd. 3.

Duties.

(a) The task force must report on past expenditures of the TANF
block grant, including a determination of whether or not programs for which TANF funds
have been appropriated meet the purposes of the TANF program as defined under Code of
Federal Regulations, title 45, section 260.20, and make recommendations as to which,
if any, programs currently receiving TANF funds should be funded by the general fund.
In making recommendations on program funding sources, the task force shall consider
the following:

(1) the original purpose of the TANF block grant under Code of Federal Regulations,
title 45, section 260.20;

(2) potential overlap of the population eligible for the Minnesota family investment
program cash grant and the other programs currently receiving TANF funds;

(3) the ability for TANF funds, as appropriated under current law, to effectively help
the lowest-income Minnesotans out of poverty;

(4) the impact of past expenditures on families who may be eligible for assistance
through TANF;

(5) the ability of TANF funds to support effective parenting and optimal brain
development in children under five years old; and

(6) the role of noncash assistance expenditures in maintaining compliance with
federal law.

(b) In preparing the recommendations under paragraph (a), the task force shall
consult with appropriate Department of Human Services information technology staff
regarding implementation of the recommendations.

Subd. 4.

Report.

(a) The task force must submit an initial report by November
30, 2014, on past expenditures of the TANF block grant in Minnesota to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and
human services policy and finance.

(b) The task force must submit a final report by February 1, 2015, analyzing past
TANF expenditures and making recommendations as to which programs, if any, currently
receiving TANF funding should be funded by the general fund, including any phase-in
period and draft legislation necessary for implementation, to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health and human
services policy and finance.

Subd. 5.

Expiration.

This section expires March 1, 2015, or upon submission of the
final report required under subdivision 4, whichever is earlier.