ST. PAUL— A chief architect of the state’s health insurance exchange is moving to dismantle its board, a major change to MNsure oversight that may give Democrats a path to head off larger changes that Republicans want.

MNsure is currently a quasi-private entity governed by an independent seven-member board that controls the exchange’s budget. Expected to be formally introduced on Thursday, the bill from Sen. Tony Lourey would make MNsure a state agency like the Department of Transportation or Department of Human Services, whose commissioners are appointed by — and answer to — the governor.

The change in structure would also give state lawmakers the final say on MNsure’s budget, an olive branch to Republicans who have sought a larger role in overseeing the exchange’s finances after its rocky year one rollout. And it comes from Lourey, a Democrat who helped lead the effort to set up the exchange.

Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, said his proposal is not an indictment or criticism of MNsure.

“It makes it accountable to the governor, the Legislature and, most importantly, the public that it serves,” Lourey said in an interview.