ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Wednesday, February 12, Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) and Senate Republicans rolled out a comprehensive plan consisting of eight bill to hold government accountable to stop waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayers’ dollars. This plan is part of the Senate GOP’s Minnesotans First agenda.
The proposed package addresses various issues, including empowering the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor, creating a state Office of Inspector General, establishing a state grants administrator, a central grant system, increased oversight of grant recipients, and additional accountability, training requirements, and whistleblower protections for state employees.
“Minnesota’s fraud problem needs to be addressed,” Senator Lang said. “We need to hold our government accountable and make sure every dollar the state receives from hard-working Minnesotans serves its intended purpose.”
Bill List
Senate Republicans’ comprehensive plan to hold government accountable to stop the waste, fraud, and abuse includes the following bills:
Oversight
- SF 475: Whistleblower protection laws for state employees who report suspected waste, fraud, or abuse (Heard in State and Local Government Committee on Feb. 11, 2025)
- SF 1219: Create a centralized state Office of Inspector General
- SF TBD: Increase penalties on state employees who don’t follow the law to report suspected waste, fraud, or abuse
Transparency
- SF 730: Transparency in the AG’s office (Heard in Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Jan. 29, 2025)
- SF 263: OLA review on agency compliance based on OLA recommendations to relevant House and Senate committees (Heard in State Government Committee Feb. 11, 2025)
Grant reforms
- SF 981: OLA recommendations on grant reform including conflict of interest rules, background checks, and salary transparency
- SF 1123: Increased oversight of grants, reporting and compliance requirements
- SF 538: Grant Administrator and centralized grant database