Senate Republicans outline sweeping anti‑fraud package, including new inspector general and whistleblower expansions

Senate Republican leaders and bill authors on Tuesday laid out a multi‑bill package designed to curb what they called pervasive waste, fraud and abuse in Minnesota state government.

Senator Mark Johnson, Senate Republican Caucus leader, opened the event by saying the caucus placed rooting out fraud high on its agenda and cited recent polling showing ‘‘20% of respondents felt it should be the top priority of the Minnesota legislature to tackle this session.’’

The proposals presented include several bills: Senate File 475 (whistleblower protections), bills to create an independent inspector general and to strengthen grants management (referred to in the presentations as Senate File 1219 and Senate File 538), Senate File 730 (clarifying public access under the Data Practices Act for the Attorney General’s office), Senate File 263 (giving the Office of the Legislative Auditor more resources and requiring follow‑up on implementation), Senate File 981 (grant program safeguards), and Senate File 1123 (additional grant reforms). The sponsors described reforms ranging from expanded reporting channels for agency employees to a new centralized grants director and on‑site grantee checks.

Senator Julia Coleman (Senate District 48) said the proposals would ‘‘deliver comprehensive reforms to protect every dollar entrusted to us by Minnesotans’’ and framed the package as a response to what speakers repeatedly called a recent pattern of fraud in state programs.

Senator Steve Drazkowski (Senate District 20) described a bill requiring state employees who suspect fraud to pause payments and report…