Minneslate Logo

HF2522 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Commissioner of commerce designated to oversee the Commerce Fraud Bureau and automobile theft prevention program.

Related bill: SF2925

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to designate the commissioner of commerce in Minnesota to oversee and manage two specific programs: the Commerce Fraud Bureau and the Automobile Theft Prevention Program. It provides the commissioner with the authority to manage the operations and responsibilities related to these areas.

Main Provisions

  1. Commerce Fraud Bureau Authority:

    • The bill allows the commissioner of commerce to appoint peace officers and establish a law enforcement agency known as the Commerce Fraud Bureau.
    • This bureau is tasked with investigating insurance-related crimes and financial crimes and has the authority to make arrests related to these offenses.
    • At least 70% of the bureau's work must focus on insurance fraud.

  2. Response to Law Enforcement Requests:

    • The Commerce Fraud Bureau may assist other law enforcement agencies upon request.

  3. Oversight of Programs:

    • The commissioner of commerce is given total responsibility for the functions, personnel, powers, responsibilities, and oversight of both the Commerce Fraud Bureau and the Automobile Theft Prevention Program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill amends existing statutes to expand the authority and role of the commissioner of commerce by explicitly adding oversight duties for the Commerce Fraud Bureau and Automobile Theft Prevention Program. This consolidates the operational and management responsibilities for fraud and theft prevention within the Department of Commerce.

Relevant Terms

  • Commerce Fraud Bureau
  • Insurance fraud
  • Financial crimes
  • Automobile theft prevention
  • Commissioner of commerce
  • Law enforcement agency
  • Peace officers

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 19, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toCommerce Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Appoints peace officers and establishes law enforcement agency known as the Commerce Fraud Bureau."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends the authorities of the commissioner of commerce over the Commerce Fraud Bureau under section 45.0135.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts jurisdiction and response capabilities of the Commerce Fraud Bureau."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "45.0135"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References the definitions related to peace officers and law enforcement agencies under section 626.84.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "626.84"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines insurance fraud as it relates to the allocation of work by the Commerce Fraud Bureau under section 60A.951.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "60A.951"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines insurance-related crimes that are under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Fraud Bureau under section 609.611.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.611"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies oversight responsibilities for the automobile theft prevention program."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adds a new subdivision under section 65B.84 assigning oversight of the automobile theft prevention program to the commissioner of commerce.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "65B.84"
  }
]

Sponsors