Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish the Office of the Inspector General in Minnesota. This new office will improve oversight and accountability within state agencies and programs by handling reports of fraud and misuse, promoting transparency, and maintaining integrity.

Main Provisions

• Creation of the Office: The bill establishes the Office of the Inspector General as an independent entity, separate from other state executive branch agencies.
• Responsibilities: The Inspector General will be responsible for investigating and responding to reports of fraud and misuse of state resources. These reports can be submitted by the public, and the office may coordinate with the legislative auditor on investigations to optimize resource use.
• Reporting: The Inspector General will report directly to the Chief Administrative Law Judge and operate independently from executive or legislative branches, ensuring operations are free from political influence.
• Salaries: The salaries of agency heads, including the Inspector General, would be determined by the Compensation Council, and will be published on the department’s website for transparency.
• Advisory Committee: The bill proposes creating an advisory committee to provide further oversight and support the office’s mission.
• Transfer of Duties: Certain duties of existing agencies may be transferred to the newly established office to streamline operations and remove redundancy.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• New Chapter: The bill introduces a new chapter (Chapter 15D) in Minnesota Statutes, focusing on the functions and responsibilities of the Inspector General.
• Amendments and Repeals: It amends several sections of existing Minnesota statutes to incorporate the role of the Inspector General and repeals outdated sections to prevent conflict with the new office's provisions.

Relevant Terms

• Office of the Inspector General
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Fraud and misuse reports
• Legislative auditor
• Independent entity