The SF No 636 bill introduces the SAVI (State Agency Value Initiative) program in Minnesota, which aims to promote innovation and cost efficiency within state agencies. The essential idea is that any unspent funds from agencies' budgets at the end of a two-year period can be retained by those agencies if the savings were achieved through innovative and efficient measures. Half of these unspent funds can be used by the agencies for future projects that align with their missions, as long as there is no creation of ongoing financial commitments beyond the savings.

Agencies participating in the SAVI program need to set up peer review panels composed of employees recognized for cost-saving measures and agency managers, who will decide which projects the saved funds should be invested in. Each proposed project must be publicly posted on the agency’s website for at least 30 days and be approved by the commissioner of management and budget, following a review from the Legislative Advisory Commission.

This bill also stipulates the establishment of a dedicated account for each agency within the special revenue fund to manage these savings effectively. This account's funds are earmarked specifically for projects approved under the SAVI program.