Minnesota North Star Home Page Links

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Administration Department

This department provides services to government agencies, information for vendors who wish to do business with the state, information on data practices, public auctions, State Register, Minnesota Bookstore and more.

Administrative Hearings Office

The Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) was established in 1976 to provide a fair, prompt and impartial hearing process for citizens who disagree with actions taken by government. This office conducts hearings on rulemaking, workers compensation disputes, and contested cases involving state agencies and local governments. Search the report database for the full text of reports, recommendations, and orders from public cases dating back to 1977.

Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, Council on

Advises the governor and members of the legislature on issues pertaining to Asian Pacific Minnesotans; to advocate on issues of importance to the Asian Pacific community; and to act as a broker between the Asian Pacific community and mainstream society.

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Board of Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure

The Board develops and administers registration, disclosure, and enforcement programs to ensure that the requirements of the Ethics in Government Act are met.

Board of Dentistry

The Board of Denistry examines, licenses and registers dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants and enforces the Minnesota Dental Practices Act.

Board of Emergency Medical Services Regulatory

The EMSRB is the lead agency for emergency medical services in Minnesota. The board licenses and regulates ambulance services, certifies and registers EMS personnel, investigates complaints, administers a variety of EMS funding and programs and

Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators

The board licenses the administrators of nursing homes in the state. They also set the qualifications required for licensure, review and act on complaints against licensed administrators, refer consumers needing help to other state and private agencies.

Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation

The board grants waivers of administrative rules, and limited exemptions from enforcement of procedural laws, authorizes and aids the cooperative mergers of local governments and administers competitive grant program.

Board of Medical Practices

Over 16,000 physicians are licensed by the Board of Medical Practice and the Board also regulates acupuncturists, athletic trainers, traditional midwives, telemedicine, physician assistants, respiratory care practitioners and professional firms.

Board of Nursing

The board is a regulatory agency whose services include licensing, discipline and program approval, education relevant to the needs of the public and to the education and practice of nurses and disseminating information to nurses and the public.

Board of Pharmacy

The board enforces rules dealing with drug distribution by drug manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, physicians, dentists, and other practitioners. The board issues all licenses dealing with pharmacists and pharmacies.

Board of Physical Therapy

THE BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVES TO ENSURE that Minnesota citizens receive appropriate physical therapy services from competent physical therapists. Public protection is accomplished through licensing and disciplining of physical therapists.

Board of Social Work,

The purpose of the Board and of licensure is to promote public protection by enacting and enforcing licensure and practice standards for social workers.

Board of Teaching

The Board of Teaching establishes rules governing teacher education programs and approves teacher preparation institutions and programs. It provides leadership for improving teacher education and licensure.

Board on Judicial Standards

The Board on Judicial Standards is an independent state agency that receives and acts upon complaints about Minnesota judges for judicial misconduct or wrongdoing. The board also handles judicial disability matters.

Board on Lawyers Professional Responsibility

The office is established by the Minnesota Supreme Court to investigate complaints of unethical conduct against any Minnesota lawyer.

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Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board

The Board develops and administers registration, disclosure, and enforcement programs to ensure that the requirements of the Ethics in Government Act are met.

Children, Families and Learning Department

Children, Families & Learning works to help communities to measurably improve the well-being of children through programs that focus on education, community services, prevention, and the preparation of young people for the world of work.

Commerce Department

This department is the chief regulator for the banking, energy, insurance, real estate, residential construction, securities, telecommunications industries and also operates Minnesota's Unclaimed Property.

Corrections Department

The department regulates and operates ten correctional facilities including eight for adults and two for juveniles.

CriMNet

CriMNet was created to integrate cross-jurisdictional information systems where a common set of accurate, precise, complete and comprehensive criminal justice data is collected, processed, shared and evaluated in a timely manner.

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Dentistry, Board of

The Board of Denistry examines, licenses and registers dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants and enforces the Minnesota Dental Practices Act.

Developmental Disabilities, Minnesota Governor's Council on

This web site has an extensive array of resources addressing developmental disability issues. Professionals and advocates, as well as individuals and families will find resources focused toward their interests in their respective sections of the site.

Disability, Minnesota State Council on

The Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD) is an agency that collaborates, advocates, advises and provides information to expand opportunities, increase the quality of life and empower all persons with disabilities.

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Economic Security Department

The Department of Economic Security is the coordinator of workforce development services for both job seekers and employers. Services range from operating federal programs such as Job Service, Unemployment Insurance and Vocational Rehabilitation to coordinating local providers of job training assistance. Many of these services are available through the local Minnesota WorkForce Centers.

Economic Status of Women, Legislative Commission on the

The commission advises the legislature and provides basic information and statistics on women in Minnesota.

Educational Telecommunications Council, Minnesota

Responsible for the Learning Network of Minnesota. The Network connects all public campuses electronically via two-way interactive video, increasing the availability of degrees and programs throughout the state.

End of Life Care, Commission on

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Finance Department

This department is responsible for managing all financial affairs of the state. Some of the services provided are economic and budget analysis, budget process management, accounting and payroll systems, vendor payments and cash and debt management.

Government Innovation and Cooperation, Board of

The board grants waivers of administrative rules, and limited exemptions from enforcement of procedural laws, authorizes and aids the cooperative mergers of local governments and administers competitive grant program.

Governors Workforce Development Council

The Minnesota Workforce Development Council (GWDC) is composed of 32 individuals empowered to advise the Governor on state workforce investment policies and practices in Minnesota.

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Health Care Access, Legislative Commission on

This 10-member oversight commission was created by the 1992 Legislature to review the progress of the Department of Health, the Minnesota Health Care Commission, and all other agencies involved in implementing the MinnesotaCare law.

Health Department

This department operates programs for disease prevention and control, health promotion, family and community health, environmental health, health care policy, and regulation of health care providers and facilities.

Health Professionals Services Program

The State of Minnesota Health Professional Services Program (HPSP) is a professionally staffed, confidential program designed to monitor the treatment and continuing care of eligible, regulated health professionals.

Health Technology Advisory Committee

HTAC looks at issues such as patient safety, prevalence of the condition, clinical effectiveness, health outcomes and cost and then reports their findings to the legislature.

Housing Finance Agency, Minnesota

This agency offers five primary services, development and redevelopment, supportive housing, homeownership loan programs, preservation of federally-assisted housing and resident and organizational support.

Human Rights Department

The primary function of this department is resolution of charges of illegal discrimination, public education aimed at eliminating and preventing discrimination and promotion of employment opportunities for women, minorities and persons with disabilities.

Human Services Department

Human Services offers programs for health care, child support, food stamps, general assistance, nursing home care, seniors, deaf, developmental disabilities, foster care, child protection and adult and children&supposes mental health services.

Independent Living Council, Minnesota Statewide

The council provides statewide planning and policies necessary to provide Independent Living Services

Indian Affairs Council, Minnesota

The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council is the official liaison between state and tribal governments. Their mission is to protect the sovereignty of the 11 Minnesota Tribes and the well-being of American Indian people throughout the state of Minnesota.

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Labor and Industry Department

Services include workers' compensation, labor standards, apprenticeships. Code administration, inspection services and licensing of boilers, high-pressure-piping and boats-for-hire. Investigating complaints and incidents.

Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board

The office is established by the Minnesota Supreme Court to investigate complaints of unethical conduct against any Minnesota lawyer.

Legislative Advisory Commission

The commission has the authority to review and grant requests by state departments and agencies for additional personnel or funding from contingent appropriations. The governor presides and the commissioner of finance acts as secretary.

Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy

The commission was created to provide the legislature with in-depth analysis of projected state revenues, expenditures, and tax expenditures.

Legislative Coordinating Commission

The commission serves as the umbrella organization for legislative commissions, joint agencies, and other boards and was created to coordinate the legislative activities of the senate and house of representatives.

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Mediation Services, Bureau of

The bureau administers the following programs: mediation, representation, arbitrator referral, labor -management cooperation, labor relations training and alternative dispute resolution.

Medical Practices, Board of

Over 14,000 physicians are licensed by the Board of Medical Practice and the Board also regulates acupuncturists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, physician assistants, respiratory care practitioners and professional firms.

Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Ombudsman for

The Ombudsman for Mental Health and Mental Retardation assists with concerns or complaints about services, questions about rights, grievances, access to appropriate services, ideas for making services better.

Metropolitan Airports Commission

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)oversees air transportation in a seven county area extending 35 miles outward from the city halls of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The commission operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six reliever airports.

Metropolitan Council

The Council coordinates regional planning in the seven-county area and advocates. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, operating the bus system, collecting and treating wastewater and planning for growth development.

MinnStats (Economic Resource Group)

The Minnesota Economic Resource Group (ERG) is an informal organization of state research managers formed in 1985 for the purpose of improving economic analysis and access to state data through interagency cooperation.

Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

MCDHH serves as the principal agency of the state to advocate on behalf of deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing Minnesotans by working to ensure those persons have equal access to the services, programs, and opportunities available to others.

Minnesota Planning

Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning usually called Minnesota Planning identifies strategic issues and provides the information, analysis, coordination and tools necessary for informed decision making that will guide Minnesota's future.

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Natural Resources Department

Manages the states natural resources. Hunting, Fishing, State Forests and Parks, Lakes, Rivers and Streams, Boating and Water Safety, Trails, Snowmobiling, Skiing, Education, Enforcement, Wildlife Management, Lands and Minerals and much

Nursing Home Administrators, Board of Examiners for

The board licenses the administrators of nursing homes in the state. They also set the qualifications required for licensure, review and act on complaints against licensed administrators, refer consumers needing help to other state and private agencies.

Nursing, Board of

The board is a regulatory agency whose services include licensing, discipline and program approval, education relevant to the needs of the public and to the education and practice of nurses and disseminating information to nurses and the public.

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Office of Crime Victims Ombudsman

The Office of Crime Victims Ombudsman was established in 1985 to ensure compliance with statutory protections for crime victims and to provide a centralized, comprehensive source of information and referral for crime victims. The Ombudsman is responsible for the investigation of victim complaints concerning possible violations of victim rights by either individuals or government agencies.

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Racing Commission

The Minnesota Racing Commission was created to regulate horse racing and card club operation in order to ensure that it is conducted in the public interest.

Revenue Department

Revenue manages the states revenue system. Functions include the administration of 28 different taxes, interprets and enforces the tax laws, provides taxpayers both individuals and businesses with forms, processes tax returns/payments, and auditing.

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Sentencing Guidelines Commission

The commission is an ongoing policy making body created to develop and maintain a model for rational and consistent sentencing standards to reduce disparity in sentencing practices throughout the state.

Social Work, Board of

The purpose of the Board and of licensure is to promote public protection by enacting and enforcing licensure and practice standards for social workers.

State and Local Government on the Web - Minnesota

Piper Resources has compiled links to Minnesota government departments.

System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR)

A System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) assures availability of assistive technology (AT) devices and services to all Minnesotans with disabilities, promotes consumer involvement and outreach, advocacy, training and technical assistance.

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Teaching, Board of

The Board of Teaching establishes rules governing teacher education programs and approves teacher preparation institutions and programs. It provides leadership for improving teacher education and licensure.

Technology Enterprise Board

The board was established to advise the state chief information officer, the office of technology, the governor, the executive branch, and the legislature on information technology funding and expenditures from the technology enterprise fund.

Trade and Economic Development Department

The states principal economic development agency, with programs promoting business expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade, community development and tourism.

Transportation Department

Provides a balanced transportation system. Responsible areas include aeronautics, highways, motor carriers, ports, public transit, railroads and pipelines.

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