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Evaluation subcommittee unanimously recommends PSEO, mortuary science and MPCA feedlot permitting; schedules paid leave for fall
Summary
The Legislative Audit Commission evaluation subcommittee voted unanimously July 1 to recommend Post‑Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), Minnesota Department of Health mortuary science, and MPCA feedlot permitting for program evaluations and to reserve Minnesota Paid Family Leave as a fall selection, citing timing and data concerns.
The Legislative Audit Commission evaluation subcommittee met July 1 and unanimously voted to recommend three program-evaluation topics to the full audit commission and to reserve Minnesota Paid Family Leave for consideration in the fall.
Chair Deville opened the meeting and invited Jody Munson Rodriguez, deputy legislative auditor and head of the Program Evaluation Division at the Office of the Legislative Auditor, to summarize proposed topics and survey results. Munson Rodriguez told members the spring 2026 survey had 139 legislative respondents and that Post‑Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) received the most legislative interest (107 votes). She reviewed feasibility and overlap concerns for several topics, noting that evaluations typically take about 10 months and that Minnesota Paid Family Leave had only been operating for roughly six months, limiting the program data available for a timely, representative evaluation.
Senator Rest moved to recommend PSEO to the full audit commission. Representative Anderson offered an amendment to also recommend the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, but to delay that evaluation so it would commence in the fall; the subcommittee approved the amendment by roll call and then approved the Rest motion as amended.
Representative Lee then moved to recommend two additional topics: the Minnesota Department of Health mortuary science program and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) feedlot permitting. The subcommittee approved that motion unanimously by roll call.
Separately, Senator Drazkowski moved that the subcommittee recommend scheduling the Minnesota Paid Family Leave evaluation for the fall (making it one of the fall selection slots). Staff clarified that a fall selection typically means fieldwork would begin in winter or spring and a final report would not be expected until early 2028; members voted unanimously to recommend paid leave for the fall so staff will have a full year of data before beginning the evaluation.
The subcommittee's recommendations are advisory; the full Legislative Audit Commission will consider and vote on the subcommittee's slate at its next meeting.
Quotes from the meeting capture the balancing test members addressed: “These are just some pieces of information that are intended to help you make your selection today,” Munson Rodriguez said, urging members to consider timing, balance and feasibility. Representative Quam asked whether an evaluation of Minnesota Paid Family Leave would produce timely data to influence the upcoming budget; Munson Rodriguez replied that with only a few months of program operation the staff would prefer to wait a full year for representative data.
The subcommittee adjourned after unanimous votes to advance PSEO, mortuary science, MPCA feedlot permitting and to reserve Paid Family Leave for fall selection.
