Bill > SF2897

This bill establishes a new Commission on Government Efficiency and Ethics to investigate allegations of 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 leaders of the senate. 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, successful civil actions, or legislator expulsions. The commission has the power to order investigations through a private investigator and conduct forensic audits of state agencies or grantees. When credible evidence of fraud or conflicts of interest is found, the commission must report to law enforcement, legislative committees, and the public. All public officials and entities are required to cooperate fully with investigations, providing documentation, answering inquiries, and allowing examinations. The bill also amends existing statutes to include provisions for these investigations and appropriates funding for the commission's operations. A conflict of interest is specifically defined as voting on a matter where the legislator has a direct financial interest without proper disclosure.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2897&ssn=0&y=2025