HF2891

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to enhance grants management efficacy and accountability in Minnesota. It requires state employees with grants management responsibilities to complete training and obtain certification. The bill also mandates agencies to act upon non-compliance by grantees and standardizes various oversight measures.

Main Provisions

• Training and Certification for State Employees: State employees involved in grants management must undergo specific training and achieve certification to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.

• Grants Management Responsibilities: Tasks defined under grants management include proposal requests, application assessments, conflict of interest evaluation, and compliance monitoring, among others.

• Oversight and Reporting: Granting agencies must report to a commissioner on grant statuses and conduct mandatory unannounced monitoring visits for certain grants. In particular, these visits are required for grants of $50,000 or more.

• Handling Non-Compliance: Instances of non-compliance by grantees must be documented, and grantees may receive technical assistance for unintentional failures. Serious, intentional, or repeated failures will be escalated to the commissioner.

• Fraud and Misconduct: If fraud or unlawful use of public funds is suspected, agencies must report this to law enforcement and cooperate in investigations. Payments can be suspended or withheld as necessary.

• Suspension and Debarment: Agencies can suspend or debar grantees found to be in substantial violation of grant terms, following due process including the option for an administrative hearing.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends Minnesota statutes to introduce a comprehensive training and certification requirement for all state employees involved in grants management.

• It strengthens the oversight of grants by necessitating in-person assessments and new procedural directives for reporting on non-compliance and addressing potential fraud.

Relevant Terms

grants management, training, certification, oversight, non-compliance, fraud, suspension, debarment, compliance monitoring, unannounced visit, technical assistance, law enforcement cooperation