SF 595

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:13am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing the Minnesota Institute for Public
Policy to assist legislators and other policy makers in creating public policy;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 3D.

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

Section 1.

[3D.01] MINNESOTA INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

The Minnesota Institute for Public Policy is
established as a nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. The institute shall assist policy makers in this state in making
informed judgments about important long-term issues facing the state.

Subd. 2.

Board of directors.

(a) The board of directors of the Minnesota Institute
for Public Policy is comprised of:

(1) two senators, including one member from the majority party and one member
from the minority party, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee
on Rules and Administration of the senate;

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

(3) two members appointed by the governor, with consideration given to the
appointment of commissioners of state agencies; and

(4) two members designated by the president of the University of Minnesota.

(b) Members shall serve two-year terms from the date of their appointment, and shall
continue to serve until their successors have been appointed. Legislative members must
retain legislative office in order to retain membership on the board. All members of the
board serve at the pleasure of the respective appointing authority.

Subd. 3.

Duties.

In addition to the duties described in subdivision 1, the Minnesota
Institute for Public Policy shall:

(1) initiate, sponsor, conduct, and publish research that is directly useful to policy
makers in this state, including the management of technical and scientific topics relating
to long-term policy issues; and

(2) seek to strengthen the links between state government and the academic
community in this state in order to further inform policy making with more relevant
academic research.

Subd. 4.

Staff.

The board of directors shall hire staff for the Minnesota Institute for
Public Policy. Persons employed by the institute are not state employees. Employees of
the institute may participate in state retirement, deferred compensation, insurance, or other
plans that apply to state employees generally, and are subject to regulation by the state
Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.

Subd. 5.

Bylaws.

The board of directors shall adopt bylaws necessary for the
conduct of the business of the institute consistent with this section. The corporation must
publish bylaws and amendments to the bylaws in the State Register.

Subd. 6.

Place of business.

The board of directors shall locate and maintain the
institute's place of business within .......

Subd. 7.

Chair.

The board of directors shall annually elect from among its members
a chair and other officers necessary for the performance of its duties.

Subd. 8.

Meetings.

The board of directors shall meet at least twice each year and
may hold additional meetings upon giving notice according to the bylaws of the institute.
Board meetings are subject to chapter 13D.

Subd. 9.

Conflict of interest.

A director, employee, or officer of the institute may
not participate in or vote on a decision of the board relating to an organization in which
the director, employee, or officer has either a direct or indirect financial interest.

Subd. 10.

No benefit to private individuals or corporations.

The institute shall
not afford pecuniary gain, incidental or otherwise, to any private individual, firm, or
corporation, except the payment of reasonable fees for goods and services provided and
approved according to the bylaws of the corporation.

Subd. 11.

Funds.

The institute may accept and use gifts, grants, or contributions
from any source. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of a gift or bequest, the board
may sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of and invest or reinvest the money, securities, or
other property given or bequested to it. The principal of these funds, the income from
them, and all other revenues received by them from any nonstate source must be placed
in the depositories the board determines and is subject to expenditure for the board's
purposes. Expenditures of more than $25,000 must be approved by the full board.

Subd. 12.

Accounts; audits.

The institute may establish funds and accounts that it
finds convenient. The board shall provide for and pay the cost of an independent annual
audit of its official books and records by the legislative auditor subject to sections 3.971
and 3.972. A copy of this audit shall be filed with the secretary of state.

For purposes of this section, "institute" means the Minnesota Institute for Public
Policy established under this section, and "board of directors" means the board of directors
of the Minnesota Institute for Public Policy.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

$....... in fiscal year 2010 and $....... in fiscal year 2011 are appropriated from the
general fund to the board of directors of the Minnesota Institute for Public Policy for the
operation of the institute.