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SF2897 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Government Efficiency and Ethics Commission establishment to investigate allegations of fraud in state programs and undisclosed legislative conflicts of interest and appropriation

Related bill: HF2420

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to enhance the integrity and accountability of Minnesota's state government by establishing a Commission on Government Efficiency and Ethics. The primary goal is to investigate and address allegations of fraud in state programs as well as undisclosed legislative conflicts of interest.

Main Provisions

  • Establishment of the Commission: The Commission on Government Efficiency and Ethics will be created, consisting of six citizen members appointed by legislative leaders.
  • Membership Restrictions: Appointees cannot be current or former candidates for partisan political offices and will serve two-year terms with no term limits.
  • Fraud Reporting: A hotline and website will be maintained for anonymous reporting of state program fraud or legislative conflicts of interest.
  • Incentives for Reporting: Individuals whose reports lead to a successful conviction or action may receive a reward of up to $5,000.
  • Investigation Process: The commission is empowered to contract private investigators and order investigations or audits. Government employees and entities must cooperate fully with investigations.
  • Forensic Audits: The commission can direct audits to assess state agencies' financial controls, which aims to uncover fraud, waste, and abuse.
  • Reporting Requirements: The commission must report findings of fraud or conflicts of interest to law enforcement and certain legislative committees. An annual report with recommendations for preventing fraud is also required.

Significant Changes

  • Audit Amendments: All grant agreements by executive agencies must include audit clauses allowing examination by specified authorities including the commission's private investigators.
  • Funding: Appropriations are made for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the commission's functions.

Relevant Terms

  • Government Efficiency
  • Ethics
  • Fraud Investigation
  • Legislative Conflicts of Interest
  • Forensic Audit
  • Commission on Government Efficiency and Ethics
  • Legislative Coordinating Commission

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 23, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 23, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 23, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toState and Local Government

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Private investigators under contract with the new Commission on Government Efficiency and Ethics are included in the audit clause."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends section 16B.98 subdivision 8 regarding the audit requirements for grant agreements.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies that audit clauses must cover a minimum of six years from specified dates unless a longer retention period is required."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "16B.98"
  }
]

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