HF1240

This Minnesota bill proposes modifications to policies related to the Legislative Auditor. Key provisions include:

• Legislative Auditor Divisions: Establishes a Special Reviews Division in addition to the current Financial Audits and Program Evaluation Divisions.
• Deputy Auditors & Staff: Specifies appointment, terms, and removal of deputy auditors, and requires the Financial Audit Division’s deputy auditor to hold an active CPA license. It also prohibits Legislative Auditor employees from running for partisan elected office.
• Special Reviews Authority: Expands the Legislative Auditor's power to conduct special reviews, including investigating alleged misuse of public funds, noncompliance with legal requirements, legislative requests, and follow-ups on previous reviews.
• Reporting Misuse of Public Resources: Requires obligated officers of audited organizations to report suspected misuse of public funds or access to restricted government data.
• Access to Data: Ensures the Legislative Auditor has authority to obtain records and conduct inspections, including access to state information systems without prior notification to audited entities.
• Legislative Data Classification: Allows the Legislative Auditor to classify certain legislative data as nonpublic or private.
• State Agencies Reporting Alleged Misuse: Requires state agency heads to ensure concerns about misuse of public resources or data are directed to designated officers or the Legislative Auditor.
• Repeal of Existing Statute: Repeals Minnesota Statutes 16B.45, which previously authorized the Legislative Auditor to evaluate information systems and technology efforts in state agencies and universities.

This bill enhances oversight by strengthening the Legislative Auditor's authority, enforcing new reporting requirements, and repealing outdated provisions.