HF 5

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 01/12/2015 09:40am

A bill for an act
relating to MNsure; requiring the commissioner of commerce to seek federal
approval to allow the purchase of qualified health plans and the receipt of
premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions outside of MNsure; providing
for compensation of managerial employees; removing certain exemptions;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 15A.0815, subdivision 2; 62V.03,
subdivision 2; 62V.05, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin EXPANDED ACCESS TO QUALIFIED HEALTH PLANS AND
SUBSIDIES.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of commerce, in consultation with the board of directors of
MNsure and the MNsure legislative oversight committee, shall develop a proposal to
allow individuals to purchase qualified health plans outside of MNsure directly from
health plan companies and to allow eligible individuals to receive advanced premium tax
credits and cost-sharing reductions when purchasing these health plans. The commissioner
shall seek all federal waivers and approvals necessary to implement this proposal.
The commissioner shall submit a draft proposal to the MNsure board and the MNsure
legislative oversight committee at least 30 days before submitting a final proposal to the
federal government and shall notify the board and legislative oversight committee of any
federal decision or action related to the proposal.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 15A.0815, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Group I salary limits.

The salary for a position listed in this subdivision
shall not exceed 133 percent of the salary of the governor. This limit must be adjusted
annually on January 1. The new limit must equal the limit for the prior year increased
by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers
from October of the second prior year to October of the immediately prior year. The
commissioner of management and budget must publish the limit on the department's Web
site. This subdivision applies to the following positions:

Commissioner of administration;

Commissioner of agriculture;

Commissioner of education;

Commissioner of commerce;

Commissioner of corrections;

Commissioner of health;

Commissioner, Minnesota Office of Higher Education;

Commissioner, Housing Finance Agency;

Commissioner of human rights;

Commissioner of human services;

Commissioner of labor and industry;

Commissioner of management and budget;

new text begin Executive director, MNsure;
new text end

Commissioner of natural resources;

Commissioner, Pollution Control Agency;

Executive director, Public Employees Retirement Association;

Commissioner of public safety;

Commissioner of revenue;

Executive director, State Retirement System;

Executive director, Teachers Retirement Association;

Commissioner of employment and economic development;

Commissioner of transportation; and

Commissioner of veterans affairs.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 62V.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Application of other law.

(a) MNsure must be reviewed by the legislative
auditor under section 3.971. The legislative auditor shall audit the books, accounts, and
affairs of MNsure once each year or less frequently as the legislative auditor's funds and
personnel permit. Upon the audit of the financial accounts and affairs of MNsure, MNsure
is liable to the state for the total cost and expenses of the audit, including the salaries paid
to the examiners while actually engaged in making the examination. The legislative
auditor may bill MNsure either monthly or at the completion of the audit. All collections
received for the audits must be deposited in the general fund and are appropriated to
the legislative auditor. Pursuant to section 3.97, subdivision 3a, the Legislative Audit
Commission is requested to direct the legislative auditor to report by March 1, 2014, to
the legislature on any duplication of services that occurs within state government as a
result of the creation of MNsure. The legislative auditor may make recommendations on
consolidating or eliminating any services deemed duplicative. The board shall reimburse
the legislative auditor for any costs incurred in the creation of this report.

(b) Board members of MNsure are subject to sections 10A.07 and 10A.09. Board
members and the personnel of MNsure are subject to section 10A.071.

(c) All meetings of the board shall comply with the open meeting law in chapter
13D deleted text begin , except that: deleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (1) meetings, or portions of meetings, regarding compensation negotiations with the
director or managerial staff may be closed in the same manner and according to the same
procedures identified in section 13D.03;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) meetings regarding contract negotiation strategy may be closed in the same
manner and according to the same procedures identified in section 13D.05, subdivision 3,
paragraph (c); and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) meetings, or portions of meetings, regarding not public data described in section
62V.06, subdivision 3, and regarding trade secret information as defined in section 13.37,
subdivision 1, paragraph (b), are closed to the public, but must otherwise comply with
the procedures identified in chapter 13D.
deleted text end

(d) MNsure and provisions specified under this chapter are exempt from deleted text begin :
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end chapter 14, including section 14.386, except as specified in section 62V.05 deleted text begin ; and deleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (2) chapters 16B and 16C, with the exception of sections 16C.08, subdivision 2,
paragraph (b), clauses (1) to (8); 16C.086; 16C.09, paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (3),
paragraph (b), and paragraph (c); and section 16C.16. However, MNsure, in consultation
with the commissioner of administration, shall implement policies and procedures to
establish an open and competitive procurement process for MNsure that, to the extent
practicable, conforms to the principles and procedures contained in chapters 16B and 16C.
In addition, MNsure may enter into an agreement with the commissioner of administration
for other services.
deleted text end

(e) The board and the Web site are exempt from chapter 60K. Any employee of
MNsure who sells, solicits, or negotiates insurance to individuals or small employers must
be licensed as an insurance producer under chapter 60K.

(f) Section 3.3005 applies to any federal funds received by MNsure.

deleted text begin (g) MNsure is exempt from the following sections in chapter 16E: 16E.01,
subdivision 3, paragraph (b); 16E.03, subdivisions 3 and 4; 16E.04, subdivision 1,
subdivision 2, paragraph (c), and subdivision 3, paragraph (b); 16E.0465; 16E.055;
16E.145; 16E.15; 16E.16; 16E.17; 16E.18; and 16E.22.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (h) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end A MNsure decision that requires a vote of the board, other than a decision
that applies only to hiring of employees or other internal management of MNsure, is an
"administrative action" under section 10A.01, subdivision 2.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 62V.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General.

(a) The board shall operate MNsure according to this
chapter and applicable state and federal law.

(b) The board has the power to:

(1) employ personnel and delegate administrative, operational, and other
responsibilities to the director and other personnel as deemed appropriate by the board.
This authority is subject to chapters 43A and 179A. The director and managerial staff of
MNsure shall serve in the unclassified service deleted text begin and shall be governed by a compensation
plan prepared by the board, submitted to the commissioner of management and budget
for review and comment within 14 days of its receipt, and approved by the Legislative
Coordinating Commission and the legislature under section 3.855, except that section
15A.0815, subdivision 5, paragraph (e), shall not apply deleted text end new text begin . The director of MNsure shall not
receive a salary increase on or after July 1, 2015, unless the increase is approved under
the process specified in section 15A.0815, subdivision 5 new text end ;

(2) establish the budget of MNsure;

(3) seek and accept money, grants, loans, donations, materials, services, or
advertising revenue from government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and public
and private sources to fund the operation of MNsure. No health carrier or insurance
producer shall advertise on MNsure;

(4) contract for the receipt and provision of goods and services;

(5) enter into information-sharing agreements with federal and state agencies and
other entities, provided the agreements include adequate protections with respect to
the confidentiality and integrity of the information to be shared, and comply with all
applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and rules, including the requirements of
section 62V.06; and

(6) exercise all powers reasonably necessary to implement and administer the
requirements of this chapter and the Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148.

(c) The board shall establish policies and procedures to gather public comment and
provide public notice in the State Register.

(d) Within 180 days of enactment, the board shall establish bylaws, policies, and
procedures governing the operations of MNsure in accordance with this chapter.

Sec. 5. new text begin TRANSITION.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of management and budget must assign the positions of
managerial employees of MNsure, other than the director, to salary ranges and salaries in
the managerial plan, effective the first payroll period beginning on or after July 1, 2015.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 5 are effective July 1, 2015.
new text end