The proposed bill establishes the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in Minnesota, an independent entity tasked with ensuring accountability, transparency, and integrity within state agencies and programs. The Inspector General will report directly to the chief administrative law judge and will have the authority to conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and refer cases for civil or criminal action. The bill mandates the publication of reports on audits and investigations and requires the maintenance of an exclusion list for programs and individuals involved in fraud or misuse of public funds. It also introduces new data classifications, designating data from active investigations as confidential until the investigation concludes, with certain exceptions.

Additionally, the bill creates the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission to recommend candidates for the Inspector General position and oversee the office's operations. It includes provisions for the transition of existing inspector general employees to the new office, ensuring their employment status remains intact. The bill outlines the authority for imposing temporary sanctions on program participants based on credible allegations of fraud and emphasizes the protection of whistleblowers. It also includes appropriations from the general fund to support the OIG's establishment and repeals conflicting existing statutes, with the new provisions set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 3.971, 15A.0815, 609.456, 142A.03, 142A.12, 144.05, 245.095, 256.01