HF4664
Certain actions by public officers and employees clarified to constitute misconduct, penalty for repeated misconduct increased, statute of limitations increased, and offense of public misconduct made ineligible for automatic expungement.
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill aims to strengthen fraud prevention by clarifying what counts as misconduct by public officers and employees, raising penalties for repeated misconduct, extending the time prosecutors can pursue misconduct, and eliminating automatic expungement for public misconduct. It also proposes changes to several Minnesota statutes (3.978.3, 609.43, 609A.015.3, and a 2025 supplement section 628.26.1.9).
Main Provisions
- Clarifies misconduct in relation to the Legislative Auditor:
- Refusing or neglecting to obey a lawful direction from the Legislative Auditor or withholding information, records, or documents for examination can be punished as contempt.
- Oath-related wrongdoing:
- Swearing falsely about matters under oath is a gross misdemeanor.
- False information to the Legislative Auditor:
- A public officer or employee who knowingly provides false documents or information to the Legislative Auditor commits a gross misdemeanor and can be subject to suspension without pay or dismissal for just cause.
- Penalties for repeat offenses:
- If a public officer or employee commits a second or later violation of the false-information provision, they may be imprisoned for up to three years or fined up to $5,000, or both.
Significant Changes to Law
- Increases penalties for repeated misconduct by public officers or employees.
- Expands or changes the statute of limitations for prosecuting misconduct by public officers or employees.
- Removes or narrows eligibility for automatic expungement of records related to public misconduct.
- Amends specific Minnesota Statutes (3.978.3, 609.43, 609A.015.3, and 628.26.1.9) to implement these changes and definitions.
Potential Impact
- Higher accountability for public officials and employees who interact with the Legislative Auditor.
- Stronger deterrence against providing false information or obstructing investigations.
- Longer windows to prosecute misconduct and fewer opportunities to erase related records automatically.
Relevant Terms fraud prevention, misconduct, public officer, public employee, legislative auditor, contempt, oath, swearing falsely, gross misdemeanor, suspension without pay, dismissal for just cause, imprisonment, fine, second or subsequent offense, automatic expungement, statute of limitations, Minnesota Statutes, 3.978.3, 609.43, 609A.015.3, 628.26.1.9
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Past committee meetings
- State Government Finance and Policy on: April 14, 2026 08:15
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | State Government Finance and Policy | |
| April 07, 2026 | House | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds new content to Subd.3 (a–d) addressing penalties for failure to obey lawful directions of the legislative auditor, false oaths, providing false documents or information to the auditor, and enhanced penalties for second or subsequent violations."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 3.978 subdivision 3 to establish penalties for misconduct by public officers and employees, including compliance with the legislative auditor, false statements, and enhanced penalties for repeat offenses.",
"modified": [
"Modifies 3.978 subdivision 3 to expand misconduct penalties, including making it a gross misdemeanor to provide false information to the legislative auditor and establishing potential imprisonment or fines for repeat violations."
]
},
"citation": "3.978",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill states an intention to amend Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.43, but the provided text does not contain the substantive amendment details for this statute.",
"modified": [
"Listed as an intended amendment, but no specific changes are shown in the excerpt."
]
},
"citation": "609.43",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill lists Minnesota Statutes 2024 609A.015 subdivision 3 as an item to be amended; the excerpt does not include the actual amendments to this statute.",
"modified": [
"Listed as an intended amendment, but no specific changes are shown in the excerpt."
]
},
"citation": "609A.015",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 628.26.1.9 as an item to be amended; the text provided does not contain the substantive amendment details.",
"modified": [
"Listed as an intended amendment, but no specific changes are shown in the excerpt."
]
},
"citation": "628.26.1.9",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1.9"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee