Section 1.  Deficiency funding request for MNLARS and driver’s license system; appropriation.  $11.2 million is appropriated in fiscal year 2019 from the general fund to the commissioner of public safety for the continued development of MNLARS and the driver’s license system. This appropriation cannot be used for customer service functions. This appropriation is not subject to the MNLARS Steering Committee quarterly appropriation review.

Section 2.  Deficiency funding request for DVS; appropriation. $2 million is appropriated in fiscal year 2019 from the general fund to the commissioner of public safety to temporarily increase customer service staff. The appropriation cannot be spent on permanent state employees.

Section 3.  Quarterly progress reports. As part of the quarterly progress reports to the MNLARS Steering Committee, the commissioners of DPS and MN.IT must provide details on how the appropriations in this act are spent.

Section 4. Independent expert review of MNLARS; appropriation. The chair of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Council on Information Technology must conduct a review of MNLARS. The chair may select two additional people to assist in the review. The commissioners of DPS and MN.IT must provide requested information and access to MNLARS. The chair must provide an expert opinion on several aspects of MNLARS. The chair must report his or her findings and recommendations to the legislature and to the legislative auditor. $100,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2019 to the legislative auditor to compensate the chair and the two people appointed by the chair.

ACS/syl