SF 3202

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; codifying the transfer of employee relations duties
to the Department of Finance and other agencies; amending Minnesota Statutes
2006, sections 15.01; 15.06, subdivision 1; 15A.0815, subdivision 2; 16A.055,
subdivision 1; 16B.87, subdivision 1; 43A.04, subdivisions 1, 2, 9; 43A.044;
43A.05, subdivisions 1, 6; 43A.06, subdivisions 1, 3; 43A.08, subdivision 1a;
43A.17, subdivision 8; 43A.183, subdivisions 3, 4, 5; 43A.23, subdivision
2; 43A.30, subdivisions 4, 5; 43A.311; 43A.48; 176.541, subdivisions 2, 3,
4, 6; 176.571; 176.572; 176.581; 176.591, subdivision 3; 176.603; 176.611,
subdivisions 2, 2a, 3a; 356.215, subdivision 2a; Minnesota Statutes 2007
Supplement, sections 16B.04, subdivision 2; 43A.50, subdivisions 1, 2; 136F.42,
subdivision 1; 353.03, subdivision 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections
43A.03; 176.5401.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 15.01, is amended to read:

15.01 DEPARTMENTS OF THE STATE.

The following agencies are designated as the departments of the state government:
the Department of Administration; the Department of Agriculture; the Department of
Commerce; the Department of Corrections; the Department of Education; the Department
of Employment and Economic Development; the Department of Finance; the Department
of Health; the Department of Human Rights; the Department of Labor and Industry; the
Department of Military Affairs; the Department of Natural Resources; deleted text begin the Department
of Employee Relations; deleted text end the Department of Public Safety; the Department of Human
Services; the Department of Revenue; the Department of Transportation; the Department
of Veterans Affairs; and their successor departments.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 15.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Applicability.

This section applies to the following departments
or agencies: the Departments of Administration, Agriculture, Commerce, Corrections,
Education, deleted text begin Employee Relations, deleted text end Employment and Economic Development, Finance,
Health, Human Rights, Labor and Industry, Natural Resources, Public Safety, Human
Services, Revenue, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs; the Housing Finance and
Pollution Control Agencies; the Office of Commissioner of Iron Range Resources and
Rehabilitation; the Bureau of Mediation Services; and their successor departments and
agencies. The heads of the foregoing departments or agencies are "commissioners."

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 15A.0815, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Group I salary limits.

The salaries for positions in this subdivision may
not exceed 95 percent of the salary of the governor:

Commissioner of administration;

Commissioner of agriculture;

Commissioner of education;

Commissioner of commerce;

Commissioner of corrections;

deleted text begin Commissioner of employee relations;
deleted text end

Commissioner of finance;

Commissioner of health;

Executive director, Minnesota Office of Higher Education;

Commissioner, Housing Finance Agency;

Commissioner of human rights;

Commissioner of human services;

Commissioner of labor and industry;

Commissioner of natural resources;

Director of Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning;

Commissioner, Pollution Control Agency;

Commissioner of public safety;

Commissioner of revenue;

Commissioner of employment and economic development;

Commissioner of transportation; and

Commissioner of veterans affairs.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16A.055, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

List.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner shall:

(1) receive and record all money paid into the state treasury and safely keep it until
lawfully paid out;

(2) manage the state's financial affairs;

(3) keep the state's general account books according to generally accepted
government accounting principles;

(4) keep expenditure and revenue accounts according to generally accepted
government accounting principles;

(5) develop, provide instructions for, prescribe, and manage a state uniform
accounting system;

(6) provide to the state the expertise to ensure that all state funds are accounted for
under generally accepted government accounting principles; and

(7) coordinate the development of, and maintain standards for, internal auditing in
state agencies and, in cooperation with the commissioner of administration, report to the
legislature and the governor by January 31 of odd-numbered years, on progress made.

new text begin (b) In addition to the duties in paragraph (a), the commissioner has the powers and
duties given to the commissioner in chapter 43A.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 16B.04, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Powers and duties, general.

Subject to other provisions of this chapter,
the commissioner is authorized to:

(1) supervise, control, review, and approve all state contracts and purchasing;

(2) provide agencies with supplies and equipment and operate all central store or
supply rooms serving more than one agency;

(3) investigate and study the management and organization of agencies, and
reorganize them when necessary to ensure their effective and efficient operation;

(4) manage and control state property, real and personal;

(5) maintain and operate all state buildings, as described in section 16B.24,
subdivision 1;

(6) supervise, control, review, and approve all capital improvements to state
buildings and the capitol building and grounds;

(7) provide central duplicating, printing, and mail facilities;

(8) oversee publication of official documents and provide for their sale;

(9) manage and operate parking facilities for state employees and a central motor
pool for travel on state business; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(10) provide rental space within the capitol complex for a private day care center for
children of state employees. The commissioner shall contract for services as provided in
this chapter deleted text begin . The commissioner shall report back to the legislature by October 1, 1984,
with the recommendation to implement the private day care operation. deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (11) settle state employee workers' compensation claims.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.87, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Committee.

The Productivity Loan Committee consists of the
commissioners of administration, finance, new text begin and new text end revenue deleted text begin , and employee relations, and
the state planning director deleted text end . The commissioner of administration serves as chair of the
committee. The members serve without compensation or reimbursement for expenses.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Statewide leadership.

(a) The commissioner is the chief personnel
and labor relations manager of the civil service in the executive branch.

Whenever any power or responsibility is given to the commissioner by any provision
of this chapter, unless otherwise expressly provided, the power or authority applies to all
employees of agencies in the executive branch and to employees in classified positions
in the Office of the Legislative Auditor, the Minnesota State Retirement System, the
Public Employees Retirement Association, and the Teacher's Retirement Association.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the power or authority does not apply to unclassified
employees in the legislative and judicial branches.

(b) The commissioner shall operate an information system from which personnel
data, as defined in section 13.43, concerning employees and applicants for positions
in the classified service can be retrieved.

The commissioner has access to all public and private personnel data kept by
appointing authorities that will aid in the discharge of the commissioner's duties.

(c) The commissioner may consider and investigate any matters concerned with the
administration of provisions of this chapter, and may order any remedial actions consistent
with law. The commissioner, at the request of an agency, shall provide assistance in
employee misconduct investigations. The commissioner shall have the right to assess
from the requesting agency, any costs incurred while assisting the agency in the employee
misconduct investigation. Money received by the commissioner under this paragraph is
appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of this paragraph.

deleted text begin (d) The commissioner has sole authority to settle state employee workers'
compensation claims.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end The commissioner may assess or establish and collect premiums from all state
entities to cover the costs of programs under sections 15.46 and 176.603.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Executive direction.

The commissioner shall direct all departmental
services, appoint employees and may enter into contracts to carry out the provisions of
this chapter. new text begin The commissioner may appoint one deputy with principal responsibility for
employee relations. The deputy shall serve in the unclassified service.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.04, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Experimental or research projects.

The commissioner deleted text begin of employee
relations deleted text end may conduct experimental or research projects designed to improve recruitment,
selection, referral, or appointment processes for the filling of state classified positions.

The commissioner shall meet and confer with the affected exclusive bargaining
representative of state employees concerning the design and implementation of
experimental and research projects under this subdivision.

Any provision in section 43A.02, except for subdivisions 33 and 38, sections 43A.07
to 43A.16, associated personnel rules adopted under subdivision 3, or administrative
procedures established under subdivision 4, is waived for the purposes of these projects.
The commissioner may not use an experimental or research project under this section to
transfer positions between the unclassified and the classified service. The number of
appointments under this subdivision may not exceed five percent of the total number
of appointments in the preceding fiscal year, unless the commissioner authorizes
appointments in excess of five percent with the mutual agreement of any affected
bargaining unit.

The commissioner shall report by September 1 to the joint subcommittee on
Employee Relations the results of the experimental research projects conducted in the
preceding fiscal year.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.044, is amended to read:

43A.044 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION.

(a) The commissioner deleted text begin of the department of employee relations deleted text end must operate a
program of occupational hazard identification and accident prevention for state agencies
and state employees, and shall provide the staff, equipment, and facilities needed for the
program. The program must be offered to all state agencies through the agency safety
contact or other designee; is consultative in nature; and must assist state agencies with the
goal of providing a safe work environment, safe work methods, and hazard identification.

(b) The commissioner must cooperate with the Department of Labor and Industry deleted text begin , deleted text end
new text begin and the new text end Department of Health, deleted text begin and Department of Administration deleted text end as well as other private
and public community agencies to assist in the objective of hazard identification and
accident prevention.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General.

The commissioner deleted text begin through the Personnel Bureau deleted text end shall
perform the duties assigned in this chapter. deleted text begin The deputy for the Personnel Bureau shall
perform any duties delegated by the commissioner.
deleted text end

The commissioner's authority and responsibility shall include but not be limited to
maintenance of a classification plan, assignment of all positions in the classified service to
job classes, maintenance and approval of total compensation plans for all positions in the
executive branch pursuant to the provisions of section 43A.18 and other provisions of law;
administration of systems for employee selection; maintenance of employee performance
appraisal, training and affirmative action programs; and maintenance and publication of
logical career paths in the classified civil service.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.05, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Allocation.

The amount recommended by the Legislative Coordinating
Commission pursuant to subdivision 5 to make comparability adjustments shall be
submitted to the full legislature by March 1 of each odd-numbered year. The legislature
may accept, reject, or modify the amount recommended. The commissioner deleted text begin of finance,
in consultation with the commissioner of employee relations, deleted text end shall allocate the amount
appropriated by the legislature, on a pro rata basis, if necessary, to the proper accounts
for distribution to incumbents of classes which have been approved for comparability
adjustments.

Funds appropriated for purposes of comparability adjustments for state employees
shall be drawn exclusively from and shall not be in addition to the funds appropriated for
salary supplements or other employee compensation. Funds not used for purposes of
comparability adjustments shall revert to the appropriate fund.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General.

(a) The commissioner deleted text begin , through the Labor Relations
Bureau, deleted text end shall perform the duties assigned to the commissioner by sections 3.855, 179A.01
to 179A.25 and this section.

(b) The deleted text begin deputy deleted text end commissioner deleted text begin for the Labor Relations Bureau deleted text end shall be the state
labor negotiator for purposes of negotiating and administering agreements with exclusive
representatives of employees and shall perform any other duties delegated by the
commissioner subject to the limitations in paragraph (c).

(c) The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities may
exercise the powers under this section for employees included in the units provided
in clauses (9), (10), and (11) of section 179A.10, subdivision 2, except with respect
to sections 43A.22 to 43A.31, which shall continue to be the responsibility of the
commissioner. The commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end shall have the right to review and
comment to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities on the board's final proposals
prior to exchange of final positions with the designated bargaining units as well as any
requests for interest arbitration. When submitting a proposed collective bargaining
agreement to the Legislative Coordinating Commission and the legislature under section
3.855, subdivision 2, the Board of Trustees must use procedures and assumptions
consistent with those used by the commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end in calculating the
costs of the proposed contract. The Legislative Coordinating Commission must, when
considering a collective bargaining agreement or arbitration award submitted by the Board
of Trustees, evaluate market conditions affecting the employees in the bargaining unit,
equity with other bargaining units in the executive branch, and the ability of the trustees
and the state to fund the agreement or award.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.06, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Collective bargaining.

The commissioner deleted text begin through the Labor Relations
Bureau deleted text end shall represent the state in all collective bargaining between the state and exclusive
representatives, and shall represent the state in mediation and arbitration of collective
bargaining disputes.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.08, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Additional unclassified positions.

Appointing authorities for the
following agencies may designate additional unclassified positions according to this
subdivision: the Departments of Administration; Agriculture; Commerce; Corrections;
Education; deleted text begin Employee Relations; deleted text end Employment and Economic Development; Explore
Minnesota Tourism; Finance; Health; Human Rights; Labor and Industry; Natural
Resources; Public Safety; Human Services; Revenue; Transportation; and Veterans
Affairs; the Housing Finance and Pollution Control Agencies; the State Lottery; the
State Board of Investment; the Office of Administrative Hearings; the Offices of the
Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Auditor; the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities; the Minnesota Office of Higher Education; the Perpich Center for Arts
Education; and the Minnesota Zoological Board.

A position designated by an appointing authority according to this subdivision must
meet the following standards and criteria:

(1) the designation of the position would not be contrary to other law relating
specifically to that agency;

(2) the person occupying the position would report directly to the agency head or
deputy agency head and would be designated as part of the agency head's management
team;

(3) the duties of the position would involve significant discretion and substantial
involvement in the development, interpretation, and implementation of agency policy;

(4) the duties of the position would not require primarily personnel, accounting, or
other technical expertise where continuity in the position would be important;

(5) there would be a need for the person occupying the position to be accountable to,
loyal to, and compatible with, the governor and the agency head, the employing statutory
board or commission, or the employing constitutional officer;

(6) the position would be at the level of division or bureau director or assistant
to the agency head; and

(7) the commissioner has approved the designation as being consistent with the
standards and criteria in this subdivision.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.17, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Accumulated vacation leave.

The commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end
shall not agree to a collective bargaining agreement or recommend a compensation plan
pursuant to section 43A.18, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4, nor shall an arbitrator issue an
award under sections 179A.01 to 179A.25, if the compensation plan, agreement, or award
permits an employee to convert accumulated vacation leave into cash before separation
from state service.

This section does not prohibit the commissioner from negotiating a collective
bargaining agreement or recommending approval of a compensation plan which: (1)
permits an employee to receive payment for accumulated vacation leave upon beginning
an unpaid leave of absence approved for more than one year in duration if the leave of
absence is not for the purpose of accepting an unclassified position in state civil service;
(2) permits an employee to receive payment for accumulated vacation leave upon layoff;
or (3) permits an employee to receive payment for accumulated vacation leave if a change
in employment results in the employee being ineligible to accrue further vacation leave.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.183, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Health and dental coverage.

The agency head must continue the
employee's enrollment in health and dental coverage, and the employer contribution
toward that coverage, until the employee reports for active service. If the employee had
elected dependent coverage for health or dental coverage as of the time that the employee
reported for active service, the agency head must offer the employee the option to continue
the dependent coverage at the employee's own expense. The agency head must permit
the employee to continue participating in any pretax account in which the employee
participated when the employee reported for active service, to the extent of employee pay
available for that purpose. An employee who has opted to continue a permitted benefit
may cancel that continuation at any time during the person's authorized leave from state
employment by written notification from the employee, or from the employee's designated
attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney, to the agency head or the commissioner of deleted text begin
employee relations deleted text end new text begin finance new text end .

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.183, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Notice.

The agency head must periodically inform in writing all agency
personnel who are or may be members of the reserve component of the United States
armed forces or any other nonmilitary reserve component of the uniformed services of the
United States of the benefits provided under this section and of the procedures relevant
to securing those benefits, including, but not limited to, any procedures regarding the
continuation and discontinuation of any optional deductions. It will suffice to meet this
requirement if the agency head posts the information on the agency Web site in a highly
recognizable manner that can be easily found and understood by the employees to whom
it might apply.

Upon being ordered to active service, the employee must notify the agency head
of that order in a timely manner and must provide to the agency head the name of and
contact information for the employee's designated attorney-in-fact under a power of
attorney. Prior to the commencement of the employee's authorized leave from state
employment, the agency head must ensure the agency's receipt of that information and
immediately convey that information to the deleted text begin commissioners deleted text end new text begin commissioner new text end of finance deleted text begin and
employee relations deleted text end , including any subsequent change in that designation by the employee.
When communicating with the employee during the person's leave, the agency head and
the deleted text begin commissioners deleted text end new text begin commissioner new text end of finance deleted text begin and employee relations deleted text end must immediately
provide a copy of the communication to the employee's designated attorney-in-fact. Those
officials must also honor requests for information or other appropriate directives from that
designee on behalf of the employee during the employee's leave.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.183, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Procedures.

The deleted text begin commissioners deleted text end new text begin commissioner new text end of deleted text begin employee relations and deleted text end
finance shall adopt procedures required to implement this section. The procedures are
exempt from chapter 14.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Contract to contain statement of benefits.

(a) Each contract under
sections 43A.22 to 43A.30 shall contain a detailed statement of benefits offered and shall
include any maximums, limitations, exclusions, and other definitions of benefits the
commissioner deems necessary or desirable. Each hospital and medical benefits contract
shall provide benefits at least equal to those required by section 62E.06, subdivision 2.

(b) All summaries of benefits describing the hospital and medical service benefits
offered to state employees must comply with laws and rules for content and clarity
applicable to the licensed carrier administering the product. Referral procedures must
be clearly described. The commissioners of commerce and health, as appropriate,
shall review the summaries of benefits, whether written or electronic, and advise the
commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end on any changes needed to ensure compliance.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Employee insurance trust fund.

The commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end
may direct that all or a part of the amounts paid for life insurance, hospital, medical,
and dental benefits, and optional coverages authorized for eligible employees and other
eligible persons be deposited by the state in an employee insurance trust fund in the state
treasury, from which the approved claims of eligibles are to be paid. Investment income
and investment losses attributable to the investment of the fund shall be credited to the
fund. There is appropriated from the fund to the commissioner amounts needed to pay the
approved claims of eligibles, related service charges, insurance premiums, and refunds.
The commissioner shall not market or self-insure life insurance. The commissioner
may market and self-insure dental and optional coverages. Nothing in this subdivision
precludes the commissioner from determining plan design, providing informational
materials, or communicating with employees about coverages.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.30, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Administration.

The commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end may administer
the employee insurance program. The commissioner may assess agencies, and employers
of persons eligible for state-paid insurance and benefits under section 43A.24, the cost
of these administrative services, including assessment, referral, and training services
provided by the employee assistance program under section 43A.319, and include it in
the amounts billed for life insurance, hospital, medical, and dental benefits, and optional
coverages authorized. Receipts from the assessments must be deposited in the state
treasury and credited to a special account in the employee insurance trust fund and are
appropriated to the commissioner to pay these administrative costs.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.311, is amended to read:

43A.311 DRUG PURCHASING PROGRAM.

The commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end , in conjunction with the commissioner
of human services and other state agencies, shall evaluate whether participation in a
multistate or multiagency drug purchasing program can reduce costs or improve the
operations of the drug benefit programs administered by the department and other state
agencies. The commissioner and other state agencies may enter into a contract with a
vendor or other states for purposes of participating in a multistate or multiagency drug
purchasing program.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.48, is amended to read:

43A.48 PRETAX EXPENSE ACCOUNTS.

The commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end may use FICA savings generated from
the dependent care and medical and dental expense account programs to pay for the
administrative costs of the programs and to pay for unfunded liabilities in the medical and
dental expense account program. Forfeited balances from the programs may be used to
pay for the administrative costs of the programs.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 43A.50, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) As used in this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.

(b) "Registered combined charitable organization" means a federated funding
organization:

(1) which is tax exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended through December 31, 1992 (hereinafter "Internal Revenue Code"), and to
which contributions are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code;

(2) which is properly registered with the attorney general of Minnesota to solicit
contributions in Minnesota;

(3) which secures funds through the state employee combined charities campaign
for distribution to 14 or more affiliated agencies, each of which must devote substantially
all of its activities to providing health, welfare, social, or other services that benefit
individuals in Minnesota and contiguous counties;

(4) which is governed either by an independent, voluntary board and at least 90
percent of the directors of the governing board live or work in Minnesota or contiguous
counties or, if the charitable agencies are solely educational institutions which meet the
requirements of paragraph (c), by a national board of directors that has a local advisory
board composed of members who live or work in Minnesota or contiguous counties;

(5) which expended no more than 30 percent of total contributions received in
the organization's accounting year last reported for management and general costs and
fund-raising costs;

(6) which distributed at least 70 percent of total contributions received in the
organization's accounting year last reported to affiliated agencies, programs, and
designated agencies in Minnesota and contiguous counties or, if the charitable agencies are
solely educational institutions which meet the requirements of paragraph (c), distributes at
least 70 percent of the state employee combined charitable campaign income and revenue
directly to Minnesota residents or schools using established eligibility criteria; and

(7) which has been registered with the commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end in
accordance with this section.

Registered combined charitable organization includes a charitable organization
organized by Minnesota state employees and their exclusive representatives for the
purpose of providing grants to nonprofit agencies providing Minnesota residents with
food or shelter if the charitable organization meets the requirements of clauses (1), (2),
(4), (5), (6), and (7).

(c) "Affiliated agency" means a charitable agency that is represented by a federation
and has an ongoing relationship with that federation which involves a review and
monitoring process to ensure financial, managerial, and programmatic responsibility.

(d) "Charitable agency" means a governmental agency or an organization (1)
which is tax exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) to which
contributions are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code; and (3)
which is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(e) "State employee combined charities campaign" means the annual state campaign
that allows a state employee to authorize payroll deduction for the employee's contribution
to a registered combined charitable organization, pursuant to section 16A.134.

(f) "Management and general costs" means costs as defined in section 309.50,
subdivision 11.

(g) "Fund-raising costs" means costs as defined in section 309.50, subdivision 12.

(h) "Contiguous counties" means counties in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota,
and Wisconsin that share a border with Minnesota.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 43A.50, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Registration.

(a) A federated funding organization shall apply to the
commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end by March 1 in order to be eligible to participate in the
state employee combined charities campaign for that year.

(b) A federated funding organization must apply in the form prescribed by the
commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end and shall provide the following:

(1) assurance of tax exempt status for the federated funding organization and each of
the charitable agencies identified by the federated funding organization as an affiliated
agency;

(2) assurance of proper registration with the attorney general of Minnesota to solicit
contributions in the state of Minnesota for the federated funding organization and each of
the charitable agencies identified by the federated funding organization as an affiliated
agency. A copy of the registration letter in effect at the time of application for the state
employee combined charities campaign must be available upon request;

(3) an affidavit signed by a duly constituted officer of the federated funding
organization attesting to the fact that the federated funding organization and its affiliated
agencies are in compliance with each of the provisions of this section;

(4) a list of the board of directors or local advisory board for the federated funding
organization which identifies the members who live or work in Minnesota and contiguous
counties;

(5) a list of the name and business address of each affiliated agency the federated
funding organization supports;

(6) a list of any related organizations, as defined in section 317A.011, subdivision 18;

(7) the total contributions received in the organization's accounting year last
reported and, from those contributions, the amounts expended by the federated funding
organization for management and general costs and for fund-raising costs and the amount
distributed to the affiliated agencies, programs, and designated agencies it supports; and

(8) a fee of $100, or ten percent of the funds raised from state employees in
the previous campaign, whichever is less. The fee for an organization which did not
participate in the previous year's state employee campaign is $100.

The commissioner may require submission of additional information needed to
determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(c) The commissioner shall register or not register the application of an organization
and shall notify the organization of the decision by May 1. An organization whose
application is denied has ten calendar days after receiving notice of the denial to appeal
the decision or file an amended application correcting the deficiency. The commissioner
shall register or not register the organization within ten calendar days after receiving the
appeal or amended application. If registration is denied a second time, the organization
may appeal within five calendar days after receiving notice of the denial. A hearing shall
be scheduled by the commissioner deleted text begin of employee relations deleted text end and shall be held within 15
calendar days after receiving notice of the appeal. The parties may mutually agree to a
later date. The provisions of chapter 14 do not apply to the hearing. The hearing shall be
conducted in a manner considered appropriate by the commissioner. The commissioner
shall make a determination within five calendar days after the hearing has been completed.

(d) Only organizations that are approved may participate in the state employee
combined charities campaign for the year of approval and only contributions to approved
organizations may be deducted from an employee's pay pursuant to section 16A.134. deleted text begin By
July 15, the commissioner of employee relations shall notify the commissioner of finance
in writing of the organizations registered under this section.
deleted text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 136F.42, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Time reporting.

As provided in Executive Order 96-2, the board, in
consultation with the deleted text begin commissioners of employee relations and deleted text end new text begin commissioner of new text end finance,
may develop policies to allow system office or campus employees on salaries, as defined
in section 43A.17, subdivision 1, to use negative time reporting in which employees
report only that time for which leave is taken.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.541, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Defense of claim against state.

When the commissioner of deleted text begin employee
relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end believes that a claim against the state for compensation should be
contested, the commissioner shall defend the state claim.

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.541, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Duties of attorney general.

At any stage in such a compensation
proceeding, the attorney general may assume the duty of defending the state. When the
commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end or a department of this state requests
the attorney general to assume the defense, the attorney general shall do so.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.541, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Medical examination of employee; witnesses; conduct of defense.

In conducting a defense against a claim for compensation, the commissioner of deleted text begin the
Department of Employee Relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end or the attorney general, as the case
may be, may require that an employee submit to a medical examination, procure the
attendance of expert and other witnesses at a hearing, and do any other act necessary to
conduct a proper defense.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.541, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Legal and clerical help.

The commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin
administration new text end may employ deleted text begin such deleted text end legal and clerical help deleted text begin as authorized by the Department
of Administration deleted text end . The salaries of these persons shall be paid from the state compensation
revolving fund, but shall be apportioned among the several departments of the state in
relation to the amount of compensation paid to employees of any department as against
the total amount of compensation paid to employees of all departments.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.571, is amended to read:

176.571 INVESTIGATIONS OF INJURIES TO STATE EMPLOYEES.

Subdivision 1.

Preliminary investigation.

When the head of a department has filed
a report or the commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end has otherwise received
information of the occurrence of an injury to a state employee for which liability to pay
compensation may exist, the commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end shall
make a preliminary investigation to determine the question of probable liability.

In making this investigation, the commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end
may require the assistance of the head of any department or any employee of the state.
The commissioner of employee relations may require that all facts be furnished which
appear in the records of any state department bearing on the issue.

Subd. 2.

Determination by department.

When the commissioner of deleted text begin the
Department of Employee Relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end has completed an investigation, the
commissioner shall inform the claimant, the head of the employing department, and the
commissioner of finance in writing of the action taken.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.572, is amended to read:

176.572 CONTRACT WITH INSURANCE CARRIERS.

The commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end may contract with group
health insurance carriers or health maintenance organizations to provide health care
services and reimburse health care payments for injured state employees entitled to
benefits under this chapter.

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.581, is amended to read:

176.581 PAYMENT TO STATE EMPLOYEES.

Upon a warrant prepared by the commissioner of deleted text begin the Department of Employee
Relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end , and in accordance with the terms of the order awarding
compensation, the commissioner of finance shall pay compensation to the employee or
the employee's dependent. These payments shall be made from money appropriated
for this purpose.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.591, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Compensation payments upon warrants.

The commissioner of finance
shall make compensation payments from the fund only as authorized by this chapter upon
warrants of the commissioner of deleted text begin the Department of Employee Relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end .

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.603, is amended to read:

176.603 COST OF ADMINISTERING CHAPTER, PAYMENT.

The annual cost to the commissioner of the Department of deleted text begin Employee Relations deleted text end new text begin
Administration new text end of administering this chapter in relation to state employees and the
necessary expenses which the Department of deleted text begin Employee Relations deleted text end new text begin Administration new text end or the
attorney general incurs in investigating, administering, and defending a claim against the
state for compensation shall be paid from the state compensation revolving fund.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.611, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

State departments.

Every department of the state, including the University
of Minnesota, shall reimburse the fund for money paid for its claims and the costs of
administering the revolving fund at such times and in such amounts as the commissioner
of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end shall certify has been paid out of the fund on its
behalf. The heads of the departments shall anticipate these payments by including them in
their budgets. In addition, the commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end , with
the approval of the commissioner of finance, may require an agency to make advance
payments to the fund sufficient to cover the agency's estimated obligation for a period of
at least 60 days. Reimbursements and other money received by the commissioner of
deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end under this subdivision must be credited to the state
compensation revolving fund.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.611, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Alternative cost allocation account.

To reduce long-term costs,
minimize impairment to agency operations and budgets, and distribute risk of claims, the
commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end shall maintain a separate account
within the state compensation revolving fund. The account shall be used to pay for
lump-sum or annuitized settlements, structured claim settlements, and legal, medical,
indemnity, or other claim costs that might pose a significant burden for agencies.
The commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end , with the approval of the
commissioner of finance, may establish criteria and procedures for payment from the
account on an agency's behalf. The commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end
may assess agencies on a reimbursement or premium basis from time to time to ensure
adequate account reserves. The account consists of appropriations from the general fund,
receipts from billings to agencies, and credited investment gains or losses attributable to
balances in the account. The State Board of Investment shall invest the assets of the
account according to section 11A.24.

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.611, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Loans.

To maintain an ongoing balance sufficient to pay sums currently
due for benefits and administrative costs, the commissioner of finance, upon request of
the commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end , may transfer money from the
general fund to the state compensation revolving fund. Before requesting the transfer,
the commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end must decide there is not enough
money in the fund for an immediate, necessary expenditure. The amount necessary to
make the transfer is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of finance.
The commissioner of deleted text begin employee relations deleted text end new text begin administration new text end shall make schedules to repay the
transferred money to the general fund. The repayment may not extend beyond five years.

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 353.03, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Duties and powers of the board.

(a) The board shall:

(1) elect a president and vice-president;

(2) approve the staffing complement, as recommended by the executive director,
necessary to administer the fund;

(3) adopt bylaws for its own government and for the management of the fund
consistent with the laws of the state and may modify them at pleasure;

(4) adopt, alter, and enforce reasonable rules consistent with the laws of the state and
the terms of the applicable benefit plans for the administration and management of the
fund, for the payment and collection of payments from members and for the payment of
withdrawals and benefits, and that are necessary in order to comply with the applicable
federal Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor requirements;

(5) pass upon and allow or disallow all applications for membership in the fund and
allow or disallow claims for withdrawals, pensions, or benefits payable from the fund;

(6) adopt an appropriate mortality table based on experience of the fund as
recommended by the association actuary and approved under section 356.215, subdivision
18, with interest set at the rate specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8;

(7) provide for the payment out of the fund of the cost of administering this
chapter, of all necessary expenses for the administration of the fund and of all claims for
withdrawals, pensions, or benefits allowed; and

(8) approve or disapprove all recommendations and actions of the executive director
made subject to its approval or disapproval by subdivision 3a.

(b) In passing upon all applications and claims, the board may summon, swear, hear,
and examine witnesses and, in the case of claims for disability benefits, may require the
claimant to submit to a medical examination by a physician of the board's choice, at the
expense of the fund, as a condition precedent to the passing on the claim, and, in the
case of all applications and claims, may conduct investigations necessary to determine
their validity and merit.

(c) The board may continue to authorize the sale of life insurance to members under
the insurance program in effect on January 1, 1985, but must not change that program
without the approval of the commissioner of finance. The association shall not receive
any financial benefit from the life insurance program beyond the amount necessary to
reimburse the association for costs incurred in administering the program. The association
shall not engage directly or indirectly in any other activity involving the sale or promotion
of goods or services, or both, whether to members or nonmembers.

(d) The board shall establish procedures governing reimbursement of expenses
to board members. These procedures must define the types of activities and expenses
that qualify for reimbursement, must provide that all out-of-state travel be authorized
by the board, and must provide for the independent verification of claims for expense
reimbursement. The procedures must comply with the applicable rules and policies of
the Department of Finance deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin and new text end the Department of Administration deleted text begin , and the Department
of Employee Relations deleted text end .

(e) The board may purchase fiduciary liability insurance and official bonds for the
officers and members of the board of trustees and employees of the association and may
purchase property insurance or may establish a self-insurance risk reserve including, but
not limited to, data processing insurance and "extra-expense" coverage.

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 356.215, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Projection valuation requirements.

(a) A quadrennial projection
valuation authorized under subdivision 2 is intended to serve as an additional analytical
tool with which policy makers may assess the future funding status of public plans through
forecasting and testing various potential outcomes over time if certain plan assumptions or
valuation methods were to be modified.

(b) In consultation with the retirement fund directors, the state economist, the state
demographer, new text begin and new text end the commissioner of finance, deleted text begin and the commissioner of employee
relations, deleted text end the actuary retained under section 356.214 shall perform the quadrennial
projection valuations on behalf of the commissioner of finance, testing future implications
for plan funding by modifying assumptions and methods currently in place. The actuary
retained under section 356.214 shall provide advice to the commissioner as to the periods
over which such projections should be made, the nature and scope of the scenarios to be
analyzed, and the measures of funding status to be employed, and shall report the results
of these analyses in the same manner as for quadrennial experience studies.

Sec. 42. new text begin REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin (a) The revisor shall change references to the commissioner or Department of
Employee Relations to the commissioner or Department of Finance, as appropriate, in
the following sections of Minnesota Statutes: 3.855, 4.46, 6.582, 13.67, 13.6705, 15.053,
15.0594, 15.46, 15.53, 15.55, 15A.081, 15A.0815, 15A.13, 16A.1286, 16A.17, 16B.55,
17.1015, 31.60, 43A.02, 43A.08, 43A.18, 43A.181, 43A.19, 43A.191, 43A.23, 43A.24,
43A.316, 43A.317, 43A.346, 43A.38, 62D.145, 62I.121, 62J.26, 79.34, 116J.60, 116L.86,
116O.04, 116S.03, 116T.03, 116U.35, 125A.73, 138.01, 144.70, 144.84, 163.07, 174.02,
179A.10, 179A.22, 179A.30, 192.38, 196.23, 241.01, 241.14, 244.19, 246.27, 246.60,
256B.0644, 270C.02, 298.22, 352.01, 352.03, 352.91, 356.351, 462A.04, 465.722,
471.999, 473.143, 477A.014, 484.54, and 611.265.
new text end

new text begin (b) The revisor shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.044, as 16B.495.
new text end

new text begin (c) The revisor shall make similar changes in Minnesota Rules, parts 3300.5010,
3325.0110, 3325.0420, 3900.0400, 3920.0100, 4670.0830, 7520.0400, 9505.5240,
9575.0150, and 9575.0160.
new text end

Sec. 43. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 43A.03; and 176.5401, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end