Bill > HF2963

This bill establishes a new Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in the legislative branch with broad powers to investigate and prevent fraud, misuse, and unlawful use of public funds across state government. The Inspector General will be appointed by the Legislative Audit Commission for a six-year term and will have the authority to subpoena witnesses, conduct investigations, and recommend sanctions against entities found to be misusing public funds. Key provisions include physically embedding investigative staff in several state departments, creating a website and hotline for reporting suspected fraud, and coordinating with the legislative auditor and law enforcement. The bill requires state agencies to cooperate with OIG investigations and mandates that grant agreements include audit clauses. The Inspector General must submit annual reports to the Legislative Audit Commission and is empowered to access government data across agencies. The bill also transfers existing fraud investigation duties from Inspector General offices in the Departments of Education, Human Services, and Children, Youth, and Families to this new centralized office, with some specific investigative positions exempted from the transfer. Importantly, the bill includes whistleblower protections for individuals who report suspected fraud and prohibits retaliation against such individuals.

Labor and Employment

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF2963&ssn=0&y=2025