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Senate panel advances bill to create independent state Inspector General with bipartisan selection process
Summary
The Minnesota Senate Rules Committee adopted amendments and approved Senate File 856 to create an independent Office of the Inspector General housed in the executive branch, with a bipartisan selection committee, a five-year term, and a three-fifths Senate confirmation requirement. The measure was re-referred to the Finance Committee.
Senator Gustafson introduced Senate File 856 on April 7, 2025, proposing creation of an independent Office of the Inspector General to investigate fraud and misuse across state agencies and publicly funded programs. "It's a bill to establish an independent office of the inspector general in Minnesota," Gustafson told the Rules Committee, saying the office would help restore public trust and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
The bill, presented with Senator Crowein as co-presenter, would place the inspector general in the executive branch, grant investigative tools including the ability to issue reports and refer cases to law enforcement, and direct the office to focus on providers and recipients of public funds. "I think having an independent office of inspector general is critically important to combat fraud in Minnesota," Crowein said.
Committee members debated two floor amendments agreed in bicameral talks. The A47 amendment added governance…
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