30jan03... 0031h

2003 SESSION

03-0556

05/09

HOUSE BILL 171

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

ANALYSIS

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

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

30jan03... 0031h

03-0556

05/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

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

1:1 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. Promote efficiency.

II. Encourage cost savings.

III. Enhance accountability and control.

IV. Improve coordination.

V. Reduce redundancy in state government.

VI. Provide better government for the taxpayer's dollar.

1:2 Commission Membership; Authority to Contract with Consulting Firm; Acceptance of Gifts.

I. The commission shall consist of:

(a) One member of the governor's office, appointed by the governor.

(b) One member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) One member of the senate, appointed by the senate president.

(d) Fifteen representatives of the private or public sector community, 5 of whom shall be appointed by the governor, 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.

II. The commission may contract with a professional consulting firm with expertise in the business management industry to achieve the commission's goals and objectives.

III. The commission may accept 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.

1:3 Objectives, Scope, and Methodology of Commission.

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 within state government 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 state government.

(f) Examine each executive agency, board, and commission with regard to 3 key areas:

(1) The need for and mission of the agency, board, or commission.

(2) Public accountability and effectiveness of the agency, board, or commission.

(3) The general administrative efficiency of each agency, board, or 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. The review shall include consideration of 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. In addition, the study shall involve the collection and review of documents and descriptive information regarding the 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 may 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.

(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 may 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 July 1, 2003, 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 may request from the several departments, agencies, and officials such information and assistance as it deems necessary. The full cooperation and support of the departments, agencies, and officials is expected.

1:4 Chairperson. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this act. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among its members.

1:5 Reports.

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, recommendations, and any 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 December 1, 2003.

1:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

(Approved: March 20, 2003)

(Effective Date: March 20, 2003)