Minnesota Legislature Science and Technology Project: Three-Year Overview and Evaluation

摘要

A scientific research capacity in the Minnesota Legislature was established to test whether such a research capacity could substantially improve legislative deliberation, planning, and decisionmaking on scientific and technical issues. This effort encompasses three groups: the Science and Technology Research Office, composed of three permanent staff members, temporary personnel, and consultants; the Joint Legislative Committee on Science and Technology, composed of ten legislators, which oversees operation of the office; and the Science and Technology Resource Council, an advisory group of technical experts. The research office provides quality technical information to legislators and an extensive network of professional contacts. Its products and services have been examined and revised over three-and-one-half years. Office services which have been well used and highly rated by legislators include bill drafts, technical memos, research documents of various lengths, testimony, workshops, and seminars.