Audit subcommittee forwards 12 preliminary evaluation topics, including MPCA permitting and paid-family-leave

The Legislative Audit Commission Evaluation Subcommittee on April 10 approved a preliminary slate of 12 topics for the Office of Legislative Auditor (OLA) to analyze and place on a ballot for the full Legislature.

Jody Munson-Rodriguez, Deputy Legislative Auditor, told the subcommittee that OLA expects to release three evaluations within about eight weeks and that staff can prepare background information on up to 12 candidate topics for the commission to consider. "Very soon, I would say within the next 8 weeks or so, we will be releasing 3 different evaluations that were chosen last year," Munson-Rodriguez said.

The subcommittee—s review emphasized both OLA—s workload and statutory selection criteria. Members discussed the need to include at least one board/committee/authority and at least one follow-up evaluation, per the commission—s policy. The group also agreed to a compressed timeline: the subcommittee will narrow the longer list to roughly 10 topics now, OLA will prepare scope/background, a ballot will be sent to all legislators, and the ballot responses are due by May 13, with final selections to follow.

Discussion identified several high-interest topics that will be included in OLA—s preliminary analysis. Munson-Rodriguez highlighted items the office has not examined recently, including permitting at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and agencies such as behavioral-health licensing boards. Representative Lee asked whether MPCA permitting work would be limited to feedlot permitting; Munson-Rodriguez confirmed the office had split MPCA permitting into separate possible evaluations (air permitting and feedlot permitting) to keep scopes manageable.

Lawmakers also raised other topics to be analyzed. Senator Drazkowski proposed a review of the Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave Program, citing concerns about fraud protections and program design following initial implementation. "I would bring forward for consideration number 29, Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave Program," he said. Representative Greenman proposed a study of corporate concentration in Minnesota, pointing to algorithmic pricing and enforcement questions. Other items members flagged included DHS system modernization, personal care assistance service delivery and workforce concerns, the Attorney General—s handling of fraud investigations, Automatic Voter Registration, and the Office of Cannabis Management.

Senator Rest moved the subcommittee—s preliminary list, and the chair read the items the committee will forward for analysis: Nos. 9, 17, 29, 43, 52, 67, 69, 76, 85, 95, 101 and 96. The chair called for a voice vote: "All in favor say aye." The motion carried. The subcommittee adjourned and planned to reconvene during the first week of May to continue narrowing selections.

Next steps: OLA will prepare background and preliminary scoping information for the listed topics, the subcommittee will winnow that list into a ballot to circulate to all legislators with a May 13 return date, and final topic selections will follow as scheduled. The timeline is intended to stagger work so OLA teams can begin new evaluations as earlier projects close.