HB 0738

HB 738 - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT establishing a commission to assess the operating efficiency of state government.

SPONSORS: Rep. Moran, Hills 15; Rep. Peterson, Hills 8

This bill establishes a commission to assess the operating efficiency of state government.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT establishing a commission to assess the operating efficiency of state government.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Commission Established. There is established a commission to assess the operating efficiency of state government. The purpose of the commission is to identify opportunities for restructuring state government that will:

I. The commission shall consist of 10 representatives of the private sector business community, 5 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and 5 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president. The commission may contract with a professional consulting firm with expertise in the business management industry to achieve the commission's goals and objectives.

II. The commission may accept any gifts, donations, or grants from any public or private source, provided that such gifts, donations, or grants shall be used exclusively to advance the commission's purpose and duties.

I. In its study of the restructuring of state government, the 6 major objectives of the commission shall be to:

(a) Examine the current structure of the executive branch of New Hampshire state government.

(b) Identify organizational weaknesses that hamper efficiency, quality of service, and cost effectiveness.

(c) Review recent reorganizational activities occurring in states with demographic and economic conditions similar to those of New Hampshire.

(d) Develop recommendations and legislative proposals for reorganization and suggestions to implement needed changes.

(e) Assess the administrative efficiency, public accountability, and effectiveness of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government.

(f) Focus on the need for every executive agency, board, and commission with regard to 3 key areas:

(2) Public accountability and effectiveness of each agency, board, and commission; and

(3) The general administrative efficiency of each agency, board, and commission.

II. The commission shall adopt the following methodology in order to achieve its 6 objectives:

(a) First, the commission shall review the current organization of New Hampshire state government, and shall also review recent reorganizational activities in New Hampshire as well as those occurring in states with demographic and economic conditions similar to those of New Hampshire. This shall include the recommendations of the 1982 Governor's Management Review; the 1991-1992 Task Force of New Hampshire State Government Operations; and the 1995-96 report of the commission to examine governmental reorganization, established in 1994, 245. This phase of the study shall involve the collection and review of documents and descriptive information regarding the current structure of New Hampshire state government. This shall include gathering and studying information pertaining to state government's present organizational structure and its budgetary, demographic, and economic conditions.

(b) Second, the commission shall conduct a series of structured interviews with the persons in charge of major state departments to discuss the organization, management, operation, and control of state government programs and activities. These interviews should include discussions regarding the priorities of state programs, alternative service delivery mechanisms, and the identification of potential opportunities to streamline government operations and improve responsiveness. In addition, interviews should be conducted with various interested parties including representatives of business groups, employee groups, local governments, and others.

(c) Third, the commission shall conduct a series of structured interviews with various interested parties including representatives of business groups, employee groups, local governments, and others. These interviews should include discussions regarding the priorities of state programs, alternative service delivery mechanisms, and the identification of potential opportunities to streamline government operations and improve responsiveness.

(d) Fourth, the commission shall present a preliminary list of issues and opportunities for restructuring state government organization in New Hampshire at a public hearing to be held no later than October 1, 2001, and to allow the commission to receive public comment regarding the purpose, objectives, scope, and conduct of this study.

(e) Fifth, the commission shall hold at least 2 meetings with state employees to receive comments on general and specific issues and potential improvements relating to New Hampshire state government.

III. The commission shall have full power and authority to require from the several departments, agencies, and officials such information and assistance as it may deem necessary.

4 Chairperson. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this act. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among its members.

I. The commission shall submit quarterly progress reports on its activities and findings to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the governor, the house clerk, the senate clerk, and the state library. The first progress report shall be submitted 3 months from the date of the first commission meeting; the remainder of the progress reports shall be submitted every 3 months thereafter.

II. The commission shall report the final results of its study, including its findings and recommendations and proposed legislation, to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the governor, the house clerk, the senate clerk, and the state library no later than November 1, 2002.