Bill > HF2420

This bill establishes a new Commission on Government Efficiency and Ethics to investigate fraud in state programs and undisclosed conflicts of interest in the legislature. The commission will consist of six citizen members (three appointed by the house speaker and three by the house minority leader), who must be approved by both the majority and minority senate leaders. Commission members will serve two-year terms and cannot be current or former elected officials. The commission will maintain a website and hotline for anonymous reporting of suspected fraud or legislative conflicts of interest, and may offer rewards up to $5,000 for reports that lead to criminal convictions, civil actions, or legislative member expulsions. The commission has the power to order investigations through a private investigator and can conduct forensic audits of state agencies and grantees. Public officials and entities are required to cooperate fully with these investigations, providing documents, answering inquiries, and facilitating examinations. If credible evidence of fraud or conflicts of interest is found, the commission must report to appropriate law enforcement and legislative committees. The commission must also submit annual reports with recommendations for preventing fraud and conflicts of interest. Members will serve without compensation but can be reimbursed for expenses, and the Legislative Coordinating Commission will provide administrative support. The bill also includes an appropriation to fund the commission's activities in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF2420&ssn=0&y=2025