Minneslate Logo

SF3171 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

State employees requirement to report evidence of violation of laws governing grants and state contracts

Related bill: HF3100

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to ensure transparency and accountability within the Minnesota state government by mandating that state employees report any evidence of violations related to state grants and contracts. This bill aims to strengthen the enforcement of laws governing state financial activities and to protect employees who report such violations.

Main Provisions

  • Mandatory Reporting: The bill changes the requirement from encouraging state employees to report violations of laws or rules governing grants and state contracts to mandating such reporting. Employees must report any suspected violations to their supervisor, the commissioner, the commissioner’s designee, or the legislative auditor.

  • Disciplinary Actions: Failure to report known or suspected violations could result in disciplinary action, which may include termination of employment.

  • Legislative Auditor's Role: The legislative auditor is required to report multiple complaints about the same agency to the Legislative Audit Commission. The report must include the number and type of alleged violations but will not disclose detailed information about each violation.

  • Protection for Reporting Employees: Employees who make a good faith report are protected from employer discrimination under section 181.932, ensuring they cannot be penalized for their whistleblowing activities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The current law encourages reporting of violations related to grants and state contracts, but does not require it. This bill changes the language to make reporting mandatory and attaches potential disciplinary consequences for failing to report violations.

  • Offers legal protection to employees who report in good faith, reinforcing whistleblower protections and promoting a culture of accountability within state agencies.

Relevant Terms

state employees, violations of laws, grants, state contracts, reporting requirement, disciplinary action, termination of employment, legislative auditor, Legislative Audit Commission, whistleblower protection, mandatory reporting, state government transparency.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toState and Local Government

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for reporting violations or suspected violations, with potential disciplinary action for failure to report."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Previous provisions providing discretionary reporting options."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the reporting responsibilities of state employees regarding violations of laws or rules governing grants under section 16B.98, subdivision 4.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes from encouragement to a mandate for reporting violations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "16B.98",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for state employees to report violations or suspected violations, with potential disciplinary action for failure to report."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Previous provisions providing discretionary reporting options."
      ],
      "summary": "This legislation modifies the responsibilities of state employees regarding violations of laws or rules governing state contracts under section 16C.045.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes from encouragement to a mandate for reporting violations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "16C.045",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Confirmation that employees making good faith reports are protected against discrimination."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references existing protections for employees making good faith reports under section 181.932.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "181.932",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Sponsors