Minnesota Session Laws - 1987, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1987 

                        CHAPTER 316-S.F.No. 1479 
           An act relating to economic development; establishing 
          the Minnesota council on productivity and quality; 
          assigning its powers and duties; proposing coding for 
          new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J.  
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  [116J.941] [COUNCIL ON PRODUCTIVITY AND 
QUALITY.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [MEMBERSHIP.] The Minnesota council on 
productivity and quality consists of the commissioner of energy 
and economic development and eight members, appointed from the 
general public to four-year terms, who have backgrounds in or 
are representatives of management, labor, small business, 
engineering, or business-management education.  The governor 
shall appoint four members, the speaker of the house of 
representatives shall appoint two members, and the senate 
majority leader shall appoint two members.  The council shall 
elect two co-chairs from its membership, except that the 
commissioner of energy and economic development may not serve as 
a co-chair.  Compensation of public members for expenses is as 
provided for members of advisory task forces under section 
15.059, subdivision 6. 
    Subd. 2.  [STAFF.] The council may employ an executive 
director.  Subject to the approval of the council, the executive 
director may employ employees necessary to carry out the 
council's policies.  Council employees, including the executive 
director, are not state employees, but, at the option of the 
council, may participate in the state unclassified employees 
retirement plan, the state deferred compensation plan, and the 
insurance plans for employees covered by section 43A.18, 
subdivision 3. 
    Sec. 2.  [116J.942] [COUNCIL ACTIVITIES.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [PUBLIC INFORMATION.] The council shall 
inform the business community, organized labor, and the general 
public of the importance of productivity and quality in the 
workplace to the state and its economy.  To do so, the council 
may use advertisements, press releases, public service 
announcements, seminars, workshops, or any other means the 
council deems practical and effective. 
    Subd. 2.  [RESEARCH.] The council shall conduct research 
into education programs relating to productivity and quality, 
the effectiveness of those programs, new production 
technologies, methods of quality control, innovative strategies 
for marketing goods and services, issues relating to the quality 
of the workplace, and developments in labor-management 
relations.  The council shall establish a system for receiving 
and responding to requests for information in those areas. 
    Subd. 3.  [MATCHING FUNDS.] The council shall seek money or 
in-kind services from the private sector to match money 
appropriated by the state for its activities.  The council may 
accept gifts, grants, or services from individuals, firms, 
corporations, foundations, or other organizations. 
    Subd 4.  [CONSULTANTS.] The council shall compile a list of 
consultants experienced in productivity and quality techniques 
and education and shall, upon request, provide the names of 
appropriately qualified consultants to businesses or labor 
organizations.  The list may include the names of individuals, 
businesses, or organizations willing to provide consulting 
services without fee to clients selected by the council as an 
in-kind grant to the council.  The council may establish a grant 
program to assist businesses or labor organizations in need of 
consulting services, but unable to pay a consulting fee and for 
which no in-kind grant of services is available.  
    Subd. 5.  [CONTRACT FOR RESEARCH AND MONITORING SERVICES.] 
The council shall contract with the commissioner of energy and 
economic development to investigate and monitor developments in 
productivity and quality in the state and the nation.  The 
investigation may examine the effect of productivity and quality 
improvements on the state's economy and seek to identify kinds 
of businesses that could especially benefit from new 
productivity and quality control techniques. 
    Subd. 6.  [REPORT TO GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE.] By January 
15 of each odd-numbered year, the council shall report to the 
governor and the legislature on its activities in the preceding 
two years.  The report must include: 
    (1) the means the council used to educate business, labor, 
and the public on the importance of productivity and quality; 
    (2) the number of businesses and labor organizations the 
council helped to find appropriately qualified consultants; 
    (3) the amount of private funds raised to help support the 
council and its activities; 
    (4) a summary of its research and of the results of the 
investigating and monitoring services provided for it under 
contract by the commissioner of energy and economic development; 
    (5) recommendations for changes in state policies that 
could improve productivity and quality in the state; and 
    (6) a recommendation as to whether the state should 
continue to appropriate money for the council's activities. 
    Sec. 3.  [INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.] 
    Notwithstanding section 1, the governor shall make initial 
appointments to the council as follows:  two members to 
four-year terms and two members to two-year terms.  If the 
position of one of the initial appointees becomes vacant, the 
governor shall appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of 
the term for that position. 
    Sec. 4.  [REPEALER.] 
     Sections 1 to 3 are repealed June 30, 1989. 
    Approved May 28, 1987