1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agency appointments; reducing the number of deputy commissioners 
1.3 	in the Departments of Commerce and Employment and Economic Development; 
1.4 	allowing current deputy commissioners to serve until January 1, 2019;amending 
1.5 	Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 45.013; 116J.01, subdivision 5.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 45.013, is amended to read:
1.8 	45.013 POWER TO APPOINT STAFF.
1.9 	The commissioner of commerce may appoint four one deputy commissioners
1.10 	commissioner, four assistant commissioners, and an assistant to the commissioner. Those 
1.11 	positions, as well as that of a confidential secretary, are unclassified. The commissioner 
1.12 	may appoint other employees necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities entrusted 
1.13 	to the commissioner.

1.14 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 116J.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
1.15 		Subd. 5.Departmental organization. (a) The commissioner shall organize the 
1.16 	department as provided in section 15.06.
1.17 	(b) The commissioner may establish divisions and offices within the department. The 
1.18 	commissioner may employ four one deputy commissioners commissioner in the unclassified 
1.19 	service.
1.20 	(c) The commissioner shall:
1.21 	(1) employ assistants and other officers, employees, and agents that the commissioner 
1.22 	considers necessary to discharge the functions of the commissioner's office;
2.1 	(2) define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents, and delegate to them any of 
2.2 	the commissioner's powers, duties, and responsibilities, subject to the commissioner's control 
2.3 	and under conditions prescribed by the commissioner.
2.4 	(d) The commissioner shall ensure that there are at least three employment and economic 
2.5 	development officers in state offices in nonmetropolitan areas of the state who will work 
2.6 	with local units of government on developing local employment and economic development.

2.7 	Sec. 3. EXISTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS MAY SERVE UNTIL JANUARY 
2.8 	1, 2019.
 2.9 	All existing deputy commissioners under Minnesota Statutes, sections 45.013 and 
2.10 	116J.01, may serve until January 1, 2019. Vacancies that occur in these positions before 
2.11 	January 1, 2019, may not be filled.