State Senate Has Led on Anti-Fraud OIG Since Passage Last Session
(ST. PAUL, MN.) – A major step in the fight against fraud is one step closer to becoming law, following Monday’s re-passage in the Senate of legislation creating an independent Office of the Inspector General that will protect taxpayer dollars, ensure program integrity, and hold fraudsters accountable.
“Our top priority in the fight against fraud has been a new, independent Office of the Inspector General that would have the tools and resources needed to safeguard public dollars and hold fraudsters accountable,” said Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown). “The Senate has been leading in this fight, and finally, after almost a year of inaction by the House, they have followed our lead. With our re-passage, this bill will now move to the Governor for signature into law.”
The Senate first passed legislation to create an Office of the Inspector General in a 60 to 7 vote in May of 2025. After almost a year of inaction, the House passed the bill late last week. After today’s action by the Senate, the bill will now move to the Governor’s Desk.
The bill creates an OIG with broad oversight authority over state agencies, grant recipients, and contractors. The office will have subpoena power and the authority to freeze or stop the distribution of funds under court order, provisions DFL legislators championed throughout the legislative process to ensure the office has genuine law enforcement capability and not just the ability to issue reports. Minnesota will join more than a dozen other states that already operate a statewide OIG with broad agency oversight.
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Learn more about Sen. Hauschild.
