SF 324

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 05/11/2017 09:01am

A bill for an act
relating to the legislature; reforming legislative practices; requiring joint budget
targets; requiring the Legislative Commission on Data Practices and Personal Data
Privacy to study and recommend options for expanding access to legislative records
and meetings; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 3.885, subdivision 5;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [3.193] JOINT BUDGET TARGETS.
new text end

new text begin The house of representatives and senate shall adopt annual joint budget targets at least
14 days before the constitutional date for adjournment in each annual session. Public
comments must be allowed on these targets. Joint targets are binding on each body, and
changes may only be made publicly by published agreement of the speaker of the house
and majority leader of the senate.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective June 30, 2017.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 3.885, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Duties.

(a) The commission shall:

(1) provide the legislature with research and analysis of current and projected state
revenue, state expenditures, and state tax expenditures;

(2) provide the legislature with a report analyzing the governor's proposed levels of
revenue and expenditures for biennial budgets submitted under section 16A.11 as well as
other supplemental budget submittals to the legislature by the governor;

(3) provide an analysis of the impact of the governor's proposed revenue and expenditure
plans for the next biennium;

(4) conduct research on matters of economic and fiscal policy and report to the legislature
on the result of the research;

(5) provide economic reports and studies on the state of the state's economy, including
trends and forecasts for consideration by the legislature;

(6) conduct budget and tax studies and provide general fiscal and budgetary information;

(7) review and make recommendations on the operation of state programs in order to
appraise the implementation of state laws regarding the expenditure of funds and to
recommend means of improving their efficiency;

(8) recommend to the legislature changes in the mix of revenue sources for programs,
in the percentage of state expenditures devoted to major programs, and in the role of the
legislature in overseeing state government expenditures and revenue projections;

(9) make a continuing study and investigation of the building needs of the government
of the state of Minnesota, including, but not limited to the following: the current and future
requirements of new buildings, the maintenance of existing buildings, rehabilitating and
remodeling of old buildings, the planning for administrative offices, and the exploring of
methods of financing building and related costs; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(10) conduct a continuing study of state-local finance, analyzing and making
recommendations to the legislature on issues including levels of state support for political
subdivisions, basic levels of local need, balances of local revenues and options, relationship
of local taxes to individuals' ability to pay, and financial reporting by political subdivisions.
In conducting this study, the commission shall consult with the governor, the staff of
executive branch agencies, and the governor's Advisory Commission on State-Local
Relations new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (11) adopt joint budget and revenue targets pursuant to section 3.193 to enable completion
of a joint budget at the end of each annual session new text end .

(b) In performing its duties under paragraph (a), the commission shall consider, among
other things:

(1) the relative dependence on state tax revenues, federal funds, and user fees to support
state-funded programs, and whether the existing mix of revenue sources is appropriate,
given the purposes of the programs;

(2) the relative percentages of state expenditures that are devoted to major programs
such as education, assistance to local government, aid to individuals, state agencies and
institutions, and debt service; and

(3) the role of the legislature in overseeing state government expenditures, including
legislative appropriation of money from the general fund, legislative appropriation of money
from funds other than the general fund, state agency receipt of money into revolving and
other dedicated funds and expenditure of money from these funds, and state agency
expenditure of federal funds.

(c) The commission's recommendations must consider the long-term needs of the state.
The recommendations must not duplicate work done by standing committees of the senate
and house of representatives.

The commission shall report to the legislature on its activities and recommendations by
January 15 of each odd-numbered year.

The commission shall provide the public with printed and electronic copies of reports
and information for the legislature. Copies must be provided at the actual cost of furnishing
each copy.

new text begin (d) In adopting joint targets under paragraph (a), clause (11), the commission shall
schedule a public hearing and take public comment at least 14 days before the constitutional
date of adjournment each year.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective June 30, 2017.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EXPANDED PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEGISLATIVE RECORDS AND
MEETINGS; STUDY AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) No later than December 15, 2017, the Legislative Commission on Data Practices and
Personal Data Privacy must study and recommend options for expanding public access to
legislative records and meetings. The recommendations must facilitate increased public
access, participation, and accountability in the legislative process, while also preserving the
rights and duties of the legislature and its members to function as a constitutional coequal
branch of government.
new text end

new text begin (b) The study and recommendations should consider:
new text end

new text begin (1) current laws, rules, and customs and practices of the legislature that provide public
access to legislative records and meetings;
new text end

new text begin (2) the experiences of other state legislatures in providing public access to their records
and meetings;
new text end

new text begin (3) the potential benefits and risks to the legislative process in expanded public access
to records and meetings;
new text end

new text begin (4) the potential benefits and risks to constituents and other individual members of the
public in expanded access to legislative records and meetings; and
new text end

new text begin (5) impacts on the administrative operations of the legislature in implementing any
recommended change, including the potential for increased costs or staffing needs.
new text end