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House expands whistleblower protections for state employees; amendment clarifies definitions
Summary
House File 23 passed unanimously after adoption of a bipartisan amendment that broadened protections to all state employees and tightened definitions of misuse and personal gain.
The House passed House File 23 on March 6, 2025, expanding statutory whistleblower protections for state employees to include clearer definitions of fraud, misuse (replacing varying terms), and personal gain and extending protection beyond classified employees to all state employees.
Representative Joe Robbins, the bill’s sponsor (Hennepin), said the measure would “expand whistleblower protections for state employees so that they feel comfortable coming forward to expose fraud, waste and abuse.” Co‑authors and amendment sponsors Representative P.E. Anderson and Representative Lee Cleburne described a bipartisan amendment (A14) that aligns and clarifies definitions and replaces the terms “waste and abuse” with “misuse” to achieve greater definitional clarity.
Representative Pinto noted the bill grew out of work on fraud prevention and agency oversight and urged members to direct credible reports to the Office of the Legislative Auditor or the inspector general so they can act. Representative Robbins said definitions in the bill mirror prior language adopted in Department of Education inspector general provisions and asked for continued legislative alignment.
Key details and floor action - Amendment A14 (sponsored by Representatives P.E. Anderson and Cleburne) was adopted on the floor and clarifies definitions of fraud and “personal gain,” and replaces “waste and abuse” with “misuse” to create more consistent statutory language across bills. - The bill extends whistleblower protection beyond classified employees to all state employees. - Final floor vote: 133 ayes, 0 nays; bill passed as amended.
Why it matters: supporters said the changes will encourage employees outside the classified service to report misuse of public funds and clarify statutory language so statutes are applied consistently across oversight provisions. Sponsors and members urged that substantiated reports be forwarded to entities that can investigate and act.
Ending: With bipartisan support and unanimous passage, House File 23 will proceed from the House as passed and may be considered by the Senate or enrolled depending on next steps in the legislative process.
