2002 SESSION

02-3039

05/09

SENATE BILL 324

COMMITTEE: Internal Affairs

ANALYSIS

This resolution urges the commissioner of the department of administrative services to form a task force to study 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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02-3039

05/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Two

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

Whereas, the public perception is that state government is not as efficient and cost-effective as it could be; and

Whereas, a study of the operating efficiency of state government would provide a timely assessment of how to: promote efficiency; encourage cost savings; enhance accountability and control; improve coordination; reduce redundancy in state government; and provide better government for the taxpayer's dollar; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the general court of New Hampshire hereby urges the commissioner of the department of administrative services to form a task force to study the operating efficiency of state government and that task force be structured the following manner:

I. Membership and Acceptance of Gifts.

(a) The task force shall consist of:

(1) Two members of the senate, appointed by the senate president.

(2) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(3) The commissioner of the department of administrative services or designee.

(4) Ten 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 task force may contract with a professional consulting firm with expertise in the business management industry to achieve the task force's goals and objectives.

(b) The task force 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 task force's purpose and duties.

II. Objectives, Scope, and Methodology of Task Force.

(a) In its study of the restructuring of state government, the 6 major objectives of the task force shall be to:

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

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

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

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

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

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

(A) The need for each agency, board, and commission;

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

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

(b) The task force shall adopt the following methodology in order to achieve its 6 objectives:

(1) First, the task force 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.

(2) Second, the task force 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.

(3) Third, the task force 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.

(4) Fourth, the task force 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, 2002, and to allow the task force to receive public comment regarding the purpose, objectives, scope, and conduct of this study.

(5) Fifth, the task force 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.

(c) The task force may request from the several departments, agencies, and officials such information and assistance as it may deem necessary. The cooperation of these departments, agencies, and officials is expected.

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

V. Report.

(a) The task force 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 task force meeting; the remainder of the progress reports shall be submitted every 3 months thereafter.

(b) The task force 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, 2003.

That copies of this resolution, signed by the senate president and the speaker of the house of representatives, be forwarded by the clerk of the senate to the commissioner of the department of administrative services and the governor.