1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing a legislative study group on early childhood 
1.3 	education programs.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP ON EARLY CHILDHOOD 
1.6 	EDUCATION.
 1.7 	(a) A ten-member legislative study group on early childhood education is created to 
1.8 	review the 2018 report prepared by the Office of the Legislative Auditor on early childhood 
1.9 	education in Minnesota and to submit a written report by February 1, 2019, to the governor 
1.10 	and legislature with recommendations to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and 
1.11 	coordination of efforts to enhance childhood learning and well-being. In developing its 
1.12 	report, the study group must consider the recommendations in the legislative auditor's report 
1.13 	as well as the adequacy of the state's tax code in recognizing and relieving the cost of in-home 
1.14 	and out-of-home care and education for children provided by parents or others.
1.15 	(b) The legislative study group on early childhood education includes:
1.16 	(1) five duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives, 
1.17 	three appointed by the speaker of the house and two appointed by the minority leader of 
1.18 	the house of representatives, one of whom must be the current chair of the house of 
1.19 	representatives Education Finance Committee; and
1.20 	(2) five duly elected and currently serving senators, three appointed by the senate majority 
1.21 	leader and two appointed by the senate minority leader, one of whom must be the current 
1.22 	chair of the senate E-12 Finance Committee.
2.1 	Only duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives or 
2.2 	senate may be study group members.
2.3 	(c) The appointments must be made by June 1, 2018, and expire February 2, 2019. If a 
2.4 	vacancy occurs, the leader of the caucus in the house of representatives or senate to which 
2.5 	the vacating study group member belongs must fill the vacancy. The chair of the senate 
2.6 	E-12 Finance Committee shall convene the first meeting of the study group. The study group 
2.7 	shall elect a chair or cochairs from among the members at the first meeting. The study group 
2.8 	must meet periodically. The Legislative Coordinating Commission must provide technical 
2.9 	and administrative assistance upon request.
2.10 	(d) In reviewing the legislative auditor's report and developing its recommendations, 
2.11 	the study group must consult with interested and affected stakeholders, including families 
2.12 	and providers, and must seek advice from local government officials and the commissioners 
2.13 	of education, health, and human services.
2.14 	(e) The study group expires February 2, 2019, unless extended by law.