2026 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 15E. OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

15E.10 OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

(a) The inspector general serves as an independent entity in the executive branch responsible for ensuring accountability, transparency, and integrity in the operations of state executive branch agencies and programs.

(b) In exercising the inspector general's powers and duties, the inspector general must operate independently of all state executive branch agencies and report directly to the governor. The inspector general is not subject to direction or interference from any executive or legislative authority, except as directed by enacted law.

(c) The inspector general shall direct an Office of the Inspector General.

(d) The inspector general serves in the unclassified service.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 4

15E.15 DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the meanings given:

(1) "agency" means a department, board, council, committee, authority, commission, agency, or office in the executive branch of state government, including the constitutional offices;

(2) "agency program" means a program funded or administered by an agency, including grants and contracts;

(3) "fraud" means an intentional or deceptive act or failure to act to gain an unlawful benefit;

(4) "investigation" means an audit, review, or inquiry conducted by the inspector general to detect or prevent fraud or misuse;

(5) "misuse" means improper use of authority or position for personal gain or to cause harm to others, including the improper use of public resources or programs contrary to their intended purpose; and

(6) "personal gain" means a benefit to a person; to a person's spouse, parent, child, or other legal dependent; or to an in-law of the person or the person's child.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 5

15E.20 INSPECTOR GENERAL.

Subdivision 1.Minimum qualifications.

(a) To be eligible to be appointed as inspector general, a candidate must:

(1) have a bachelor's or higher degree in criminal justice, public administration, law, or a related field;

(2) have at least ten years of professional experience in auditing, investigations, law enforcement, or a related area;

(3) hold a professional certificate from the Association of Inspectors General, including Certified Inspector General or Certified Inspector General Investigator; and

(4) demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the mission of public service and provide a public disclosure of prior professional opinions, positions, or actions that may influence the candidate's approach to the role.

(b) Current or former commissioners, agency heads, deputy commissioners or agency heads, governors, or legislators, and persons elected to an office other than governor or legislator, are not eligible to serve as inspector general within five years of their service in those roles.

Subd. 2.Appointment.

The Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission must recommend candidates for inspector general after a competitive process from among eligible applicants for the position of inspector general. To be recommended by the commission, a candidate must be approved for recommendation by five of the eight members of the commission. The commission must assess eligible candidates based on qualifications, including experience in auditing, financial analysis, public administration, law enforcement, or related fields. The inspector general is appointed by the governor, after consideration of recommendations from the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission, with confirmation by a vote of three-fifths of the senate. Section 15.066, subdivision 3, does not apply. If the senate does not confirm a person appointed by the governor, the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission must consider applicants and make recommendations to the governor as required under section 15E.60, subdivision 4.

Subd. 3.Term.

The inspector general serves a five-year term and may be appointed to unlimited additional terms. An appointment to an additional term must be confirmed by a vote of three-fifths of the senate.

Subd. 4.Vacancy.

The Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission must provide recommendations to the governor for appointment to fill a vacancy in the position of the inspector general within 90 days of a vacancy occurring or within 60 days of being advised by the inspector general that a vacancy is expected to occur. The governor must appoint an inspector general within 30 days of receiving recommendations from the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission or within 45 days of expiration of the 90- or 60-day period if the advisory commission does not provide recommendations within the time allotted.

Subd. 5.Disclosure.

A candidate considered by the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission or selected for appointment by the governor must disclose all political affiliations, appointments, campaign work, or partisan activities prior to confirmation.

Subd. 6.Nonpartisanship.

The inspector general, and all employees of the office, must perform duties of the office without regard to partisan preferences or influences. While serving, the inspector general, and all employees of the office, may not engage in partisan activities, campaign work, or public political speech, unless protected by the state or federal constitution.

Subd. 7.Removal.

The inspector general may only be removed by the governor before the expiration of the term for cause after a public hearing conducted by the governor and with the approval of both the senate and the house of representatives.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 6

15E.25 POWERS AND DUTIES.

Subdivision 1.Authorized powers and responsibilities.

The inspector general is authorized and responsible to:

(1) establish standards and best practices concerning the operation, investigations, and fraud prevention processes of agency inspectors general, and periodically review agency compliance with these standards and best practices. Agencies must follow standards developed by the inspector general under this clause;

(2) facilitate information sharing between agencies, including coordinating investigations that involve multiple agencies and designating a lead agency, coordinating and assisting agency identification and review of suspicious documents and data anomalies, and alerting other agencies when a person suspected of committing fraud against any agency program may also be participating in, or applying to participate in, a program administered by another agency;

(3) evaluate the performance of agency inspector general offices and recommend improvements, as needed, to the agency's head and inspector general. An agency head that receives a recommendation under this clause must report annually to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the agency regarding the agency's implementation of the inspector general's recommendations until the inspector general notifies the agency head and the chairs and ranking members that the recommendation was resolved in a satisfactory manner;

(4) conduct inspections, evaluations, and investigations of agencies and programs, with a focus on recipients of public funds and publicly funded services, to: (i) identify fraud and misuse; (ii) make recommendations for changes to programs to prevent fraud and misuse; and (iii) protect the integrity of the use of public funds, data, and systems;

(5) refer matters for civil, criminal, or administrative action to the Office of the Inspector General Anti-Fraud and Waste Bureau under section 15E.27, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the attorney general's office, the United States Department of Justice for federal programs, or other appropriate authorities;

(6) recommend legislative or policy changes to improve program efficiency and effectiveness;

(7) publish reports on completion of an investigation summarizing findings, recommendations, and outcomes of the inspector general's activities;

(8) investigate any private entity or local unit of government administering a state program, or any private recipient of state funds or services, to ensure the proper use of state funds and compliance with all other laws and requirements applicable to funds or services provided by the state;

(9) submit an annual report summarizing the work of the office to the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission and make the report publicly available by posting the report on the inspector general's website;

(10) alert relevant agency heads when the inspector general has a reasonable suspicion that fraud or misuse is being committed that constitutes a credible allegation, whether or not the inspector general is conducting an investigation, as provided in subdivision 3; and

(11) establish and maintain a current exclusion list in a format readily accessible to agencies that identifies each program and individual for which the inspector general has obtained a court order to freeze or cease distribution of funds or made a recommendation under clause (10) to freeze or cease distribution of funds.

Subd. 2.Relationship to powers and duties of other agencies.

(a) The inspector general has authority to investigate fraud and misuse of public funds across all programs administered by agencies.

(b) The inspector general may perform the inspector general's duties and apply the inspector general's authority without obtaining approval from another agency.

(c) The Department of Human Services has primary responsibility to investigate fraud in the Medicaid program, but the inspector general has authority to conduct independent investigations related to the Medicaid program as necessary.

(d) The Department of Children, Youth, and Families has primary responsibility to investigate fraud in child care programs under chapters 142D and 142E, but the inspector general has authority to conduct independent investigations related to the child care programs under chapters 142D and 142E.

(e) The Department of Health has primary responsibility to investigate fraud related to women, infants, and children (WIC) and food support programs, but the inspector general has authority to conduct independent investigations related to WIC and food support programs.

(f) The inspector general has concurrent authority over program integrity assessments that are related to fraud or misuse.

(g) The inspector general must refer all credible reports from the public about potential fraud or misuse to the legislative auditor, and to the commissioner of human services for reports related to Medicaid. The inspector general may coordinate investigations with the legislative auditor, and the commissioner of human services for investigations related to Medicaid, when coordination conserves resources and does not compromise an investigation.

(h) The Department of Information Technology Services shall provide services to the Office of the Inspector General, under a managed services contract, according to section 16E.016.

(i) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit or interfere with the legislative auditor's authority or responsibility.

(j) When issuing findings or recommending sanctions with respect to an investigation concerning a program administered by the Department of Education, the inspector general must consider the commissioner of education's authority to impose sanctions and related requirements under section 127A.21. The inspector general must not investigate policy decisions on instruction, curriculum, personnel, or other discretionary policy decisions made by a school district; charter school; cooperative unit as defined by section 123A.24, subdivision 2; or any library, library system, or library district defined in section 134.001.

[See Note.]

Subd. 3.Alerting agency of issue; seeking a court order to freeze funds.

(a) If the agency does not have primary investigative authority under subdivision 2, the inspector general shall investigate and, if the inspector general has a reasonable suspicion that fraud or misuse is occurring, then the inspector general may, at the inspector general's discretion, alert the agency head and seek a court order to freeze or stop distribution of public funds, including any applicable due process and appeal rights, working in cooperation with the agency where practical and where it would not jeopardize an investigation.

(b) If the agency has primary investigative authority under subdivision 2 but the inspector general is not satisfied that the agency's internal investigation is adequate or proceeding quickly enough, the inspector general may independently investigate and, if the inspector general has a reasonable suspicion that fraud or misuse is being committed, may make a recommendation to the agency to freeze or cease distribution of funds and notify the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

(c) If an agency head does not act on a recommendation to freeze or cease distribution of funds as requested, after reasonable notice and consistent with any applicable interagency agreements under Laws 2026, chapter 92, article 1, section 19, unless prohibited by federal requirements, the inspector general may, at the inspector general's discretion, seek a court order to freeze or stop distribution of public funds, consistent with applicable due process and appeal rights.

(d) If public funds are stopped or frozen pursuant to this subdivision, the inspector general, working with and through the applicable agency, must ensure that any person whose public funds are interrupted and who is not implicated in the suspected fraud or misuse receive notice of their rights related to continued receipt of the public funds, services, or programs for which they are eligible.

[See Note.]

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 7

NOTE: Subdivision 2, paragraph (c), and subdivision 3, paragraphs (b) and (c), as added by Laws 2026, chapter 92, article 1, section 7, are effective January 1, 2027, or upon federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services must notify the revisor of statutes when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approve or deny this section. Laws 2026, chapter 92, article 1, section 7, the effective date.

15E.27 LAW ENFORCEMENT POWERS.

Subdivision 1.Authorization.

Beginning January 1, 2028, the inspector general may appoint peace officers, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), and establish a law enforcement agency, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (f), known as the Office of the Inspector General Anti-Fraud and Waste Bureau, to conduct statewide investigations, and to make statewide arrests under sections 629.30 and 629.34 for offenses that are within the bureau's jurisdiction.

Subd. 2.Jurisdiction.

(a) As used in this subdivision:

(1) "law enforcement agency" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (f);

(2) "public employee" means a person employed by or acting for an agency or a county, municipality, or other subdivision or governmental instrumentality of the state for the purpose of exercising their respective powers and performing their respective duties, and who is not a public officer. Public employee includes a member of a charter commission; and

(3) "public officer" has the meaning given in section 609.415, subdivision 1, clause (1), paragraphs (a), (d), (e), and (f), and also includes a member of a governing board of a county, municipality, or other subdivision of the state, or other governmental instrumentality within the state.

(b) The Office of the Inspector General Anti-Fraud and Waste Bureau has jurisdiction to initiate inquiries and conduct investigations into suspected fraudulent activity, misuse, or criminal misconduct involving:

(1) a state agency;

(2) a public officer exercising official powers or performing official duties;

(3) a public employee;

(4) a program or service funded or administered by the state;

(5) a public assistance benefit; or

(6) public funds.

(c) At the inspector general's discretion, the bureau may respond to the request of a law enforcement agency to exercise law enforcement duties in cooperation with the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the particular matter.

Subd. 3.Coordination with other law enforcement agencies.

(a) The bureau must develop policies for notifying, coordinating with, and referring investigations to other law enforcement agencies with concurrent jurisdiction.

(b) The Department of Human Services and the state Medicaid Fraud Control Unit have primary responsibility to investigate suspected fraudulent activity in the Medicaid program. The bureau may work with the Department of Human Services, the state Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Financial Crimes and Fraud Section of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and other state agencies and law enforcement agencies in cases involving suspected fraudulent activity in the Medicaid program. The bureau also has authority to conduct independent investigations into suspected fraudulent activity in the Medicaid program.

(c) If the bureau arrests a person, the bureau must notify the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the location where the offense occurred and, if different, the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the location where the arrest took place. The bureau is responsible for issuing any citations, filing any required reports, and delivering an arrested person to a county jail or other appropriate facility unless the bureau and a law enforcement agency with concurrent jurisdiction enter an agreement under which the other law enforcement agency acts as the lead agency.

(d) Following an arrest made by the bureau, the bureau is responsible for any subsequent investigation unless:

(1) the bureau is responding to a law enforcement agency's request to exercise its duties in cooperation with the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the particular matter; or

(2) the bureau and a law enforcement agency with concurrent jurisdiction enter an agreement under which the other law enforcement agency acts as the lead agency.

Subd. 4.Policy for notice of investigations.

The bureau must develop a policy for notifying the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction when it has initiated investigation of any person within the jurisdiction of that agency.

Subd. 5.Chief law enforcement officer.

If the inspector general establishes a law enforcement agency under this section, the inspector general shall appoint a peace officer employed full time to be the chief law enforcement officer and to be responsible for the management of the bureau. The chief law enforcement officer shall possess the necessary police and management experience to manage a law enforcement agency. The chief law enforcement officer may appoint, discipline, and discharge all employees of the bureau. All police managerial and supervisory personnel must be full-time employees of the bureau. Supervisory personnel must be on duty and available any time peace officers of the bureau are on duty.

Subd. 6.Compliance.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the bureau shall comply with all statutes and administrative rules relating to the operation and management of a law enforcement agency.

Subd. 7.Powers and duties; limitations.

Powers and duties for civil or administrative enforcement provided to the inspector general or the Office of the Inspector General under this chapter do not apply to the bureau. The inspector general must not delegate the auxiliary powers described in section 15E.30, such as the power to issue subpoenas, perform inspections without a warrant, and impose penalties, to the bureau and must not exercise those auxiliary powers at the direction of the bureau. Nothing in this subdivision prohibits:

(1) the inspector general from disseminating data to the bureau if there is reason to believe that the data are evidence of criminal activity within the bureau's jurisdiction; or

(2) the bureau from referring a matter to the inspector general for appropriate regulatory investigation.

Subd. 8.Evidence, documentation, and related materials.

If the bureau seeks evidence, documentation, and related materials pertinent to an investigation, and the matter is located outside of this state, the bureau may designate representatives, including officials of the state where the matter is located, to secure the matter or inspect the matter on its behalf.

Subd. 9.Annual report on activities and cost-effectiveness.

By February 1 of each year, the chief law enforcement officer of the bureau shall report to the governor, the inspector general, and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over state government policy and finance, and public safety policy and finance, on the activities and cost-effectiveness of the bureau since the previous report, including but not limited to:

(1) the number of allegations or reports of suspected violations provided to the bureau;

(2) the number of investigations initiated by the bureau;

(3) the outcomes and current status of each investigation;

(4) the charging decisions made by the prosecuting authority of incidents investigated by the bureau;

(5) the amount of restitution ordered in cases investigated by the bureau; and

(6) the amount of money recovered by the bureau through restitution payments, asset forfeiture, or other means and the distribution of that money.

Subd. 10.Assignment of peace officers; employment status.

(a) Regardless of whether the inspector general establishes a law enforcement agency under this section, the inspector general may enter into memoranda of understanding with chief law enforcement officers of state and local law enforcement agencies to assign peace officers as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), to the Office of the Inspector General. Peace officers assigned to the Office of the Inspector General under this subdivision have statewide jurisdiction to conduct criminal investigations into matters described in subdivision 2 and have the same powers of arrest as those possessed by a sheriff.

(b) Peace officers assigned to the Office of the Inspector General under this subdivision remain employees of the same entity that employed them before the assignment authorized under this section. Those officers are not employees of the Office of the Inspector General.

(c) Peace officers assigned to the Office of the Inspector General under this subdivision are subject to annual performance reviews conducted by the inspector general or an operational supervisor designated by the inspector general.

Subd. 11.Data practices.

The Office of the Inspector General Anti-Fraud and Waste Bureau is subject to chapter 13.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 8

15E.30 AUXILIARY POWERS.

Subdivision 1.Subpoena power.

In all matters relating to official duties, the inspector general has the powers possessed by courts of law to issue and have subpoenas served.

Subd. 2.Inquiry and inspection power; duty to aid inspector general.

All executive branch officials and their deputies and employees, all political subdivision officials and employees administering state-funded programs, and all corporations, firms, and individuals having business involving the receipt, disbursement, or custody of public funds shall at all times:

(1) afford reasonable facilities for examinations by the inspector general;

(2) provide returns and reports required by the inspector general;

(3) attend and answer under oath the inspector general's lawful inquiries;

(4) produce and exhibit all books, accounts, documents, data of any classification, and property that the inspector general requests to inspect; and

(5) in all things cooperate with the inspector general.

Subd. 3.Penalties.

(a) If a person refuses or neglects to obey any lawful direction of the inspector general, a deputy, or assistant, or withholds any information, book, record, paper, or other document called for by the inspector general for the purpose of examination, after having been lawfully required by order or subpoena, upon application by the inspector general, a judge of the district court in the county where the order or subpoena was made returnable shall compel obedience or punish disobedience as for contempt, as in the case of a similar order or subpoena issued by the court.

(b) A person who swears falsely to the inspector general concerning any matter stated under oath is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 9

15E.35 IDENTIFICATION OF FRAUD REPORTING TOOL.

(a) The head of each agency must prominently highlight on the agency's website the fraud reporting tools administered by the Office of the Inspector General under this chapter, and by the Office of the Legislative Auditor under chapter 3.

(b) As part of any grant agreement between the state and a nonprofit organization, the agreement must require the nonprofit organization to prominently highlight on the organization's website the fraud reporting tools administered by the Office of the Inspector General under this chapter, and by the Office of the Legislative Auditor under chapter 3. The agency administering the grant must regularly confirm and document the organization's compliance with the requirement under this paragraph for the life of the grant agreement.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 10

15E.40 DATA PRACTICES.

Subdivision 1.Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Confidential data on individuals" has the meaning given in section 13.02, subdivision 3.

(c) "Government entity" has the meaning given in section 13.02, subdivision 7a.

(d) "Nonpublic data" has the meaning given in section 13.02, subdivision 9.

(e) "Not public data" has the meaning given in section 13.02, subdivision 8a.

(f) "Private data on individuals" has the meaning given in section 13.02, subdivision 12.

(g) "Protected nonpublic data" has the meaning given in section 13.02, subdivision 13.

Subd. 2.Government Data Practices Act.

The Office of the Inspector General is a government entity and is subject to the Government Data Practices Act, chapter 13. The inspector general is the head of a state agency for purposes of section 13.43, subdivision 2, paragraph (e).

Subd. 3.Access.

In order to perform the duties under this chapter, the inspector general has access to data of any classification, including data classified as not public data. It is not a violation of chapter 13 or any other statute classifying government data as not public data if a government entity provides data pursuant to a subpoena issued under this chapter.

Subd. 4.Dissemination.

The inspector general may disseminate data of any classification, including not public data, to:

(1) a government entity, other than a law enforcement agency or prosecuting authority, if the dissemination of the data aids a pending investigation or administrative action;

(2) a law enforcement agency or prosecuting authority if there is reason to believe that the data are evidence of criminal activity within the agency's or authority's jurisdiction; or

(3) the commissioner of human services as provided in section 15E.25, subdivision 2, paragraph (g).

Subd. 5.Legislative auditor.

The inspector general must disseminate data of any classification, including not public data, to the legislative auditor upon request.

Subd. 6.Data classifications; civil investigations.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, data relating to a civil investigation conducted under this chapter are confidential data on individuals or protected nonpublic data while the investigation is active. Whether a civil investigation is active shall be determined by the inspector general.

(b) Data relating to a civil investigation conducted under this chapter become public data upon the inspector general's completion or referral of the investigation, unless:

(1) the release of the data would jeopardize another active investigation by the inspector general or another government entity;

(2) the inspector general reasonably believes the data will be used in litigation related to any civil, criminal, or administrative actions, including reconsideration or appeal of any such action; or

(3) the data are classified as not public under another statute or paragraph (e).

(c) Data subject to paragraph (b), clause (2), are confidential data on individuals or protected nonpublic data and become public when the litigation has been completed or the time period to appeal has expired, or the litigation is no longer being actively pursued.

(d) Unless the data are subject to a more restrictive classification, upon the inspector general's decision to no longer actively pursue a civil investigation under this chapter, data relating to a civil investigation are private data on individuals or nonpublic data except the following data are public:

(1) data relating to the investigation's general description, existence, status, and disposition; and

(2) data that document the inspector general's work.

(e) Inactive civil investigative data on an individual supplying information for an investigation that could reasonably be used to determine the individual's identity are private data on individuals if the information supplied was needed for the investigation and would not have been provided to the inspector general without an assurance to the individual that the individual's identity would remain private.

(f) Data relating to a civil investigation conducted under this chapter that are obtained from an entity that is not a government entity have the same classification that the data would have if obtained from a government entity.

Subd. 7.Privileges.

Nothing in this section or section 15E.30 requires the disclosure of documents or information that is legally privileged under statute or other law, including documents or information subject to section 13.393 or 595.02.

Subd. 8.Criminal investigations.

This section does not apply to criminal investigations conducted by the Office of the Inspector General Anti-Fraud and Waste Bureau under section 15E.27.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 11

15E.45 RESOURCES.

Subdivision 1.Staff.

(a) The inspector general may hire and manage staff as necessary and in accordance with chapter 43A. The inspector general must employ and manage at least one attorney to serve as legal counsel for the office and to advise the inspector general on all legal matters relating to the office. Except for the inspector general, the staff in the Office of the Inspector General shall serve in the classified civil service. Except as provided in paragraph (b), compensation for employees of the inspector general in the classified service who are represented by an exclusive representative shall be governed by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the commissioner of management and budget and the exclusive representative. Compensation for employees of the inspector general in the classified service who are not represented by an exclusive representative shall be as provided in the nonrepresented employees compensation plan under section 43A.18, subdivision 2, or by the managerial plan under section 43A.18, subdivision 3, depending on the employee's job classification.

(b) Section 15.039, subdivision 7, applies to employees transferred into the Office of the Inspector General from other offices of inspectors general within the first year following enactment of chapter 15E.

Subd. 2.Contracting.

The inspector general may contract with external experts to support the work of the office, subject to section 16C.08.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 12

15E.50 REPORTING AND TRANSPARENCY.

Subdivision 1.Reports.

The inspector general must issue public reports detailing completed investigations and corrective actions taken.

Subd. 2.Public tips.

The inspector general must maintain a phone line and website for reporting fraud and misuse that allows the person making the report to remain anonymous.

Subd. 3.Report; inactive investigations.

By December 1, 2027, and each December 1 thereafter, the inspector general must submit a report to the legislative auditor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over state government and data practices regarding all investigations the inspector general did not open after receiving a tip or complaint or decided to no longer actively pursue for the preceding calendar year. The report must include, at a minimum, summary data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 19, for:

(1) all complaints or tips received;

(2) the type of allegation;

(3) if the complaint or tip was not frivolous, the reason that the inspector general did not open an investigation or decided to no longer pursue the investigation; and

(4) referrals to other agencies or the legislative auditor.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 13

15E.55 PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND REVIEW.

(a) The inspector general's activities must adhere to professional standards as promulgated by the Association of Inspectors General or other recognized bodies.

(b) The governor must contract with the Association of Inspectors General or another recognized body for an external quality assurance review of the Office of the Inspector General after years two and four of each inspector general term.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 14

15E.60 LEGISLATIVE INSPECTOR GENERAL ADVISORY COMMISSION.

Subdivision 1.Membership.

The Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission is comprised of:

(1) two senators appointed by the majority leader of the senate;

(2) two senators appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

(3) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(4) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.

Subd. 2.Terms.

Members serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority and each member serves until a replacement is appointed.

Subd. 3.Chair.

The commission must select a chair after consideration of its members by January 31 of each odd-numbered year. The chair serves until a successor is elected. The chair must alternate biennially between the senate and the house of representatives.

Subd. 4.Duties.

(a) The Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission:

(1) must consider applicants for and make recommendations to the governor for the position of inspector general; and

(2) may conduct hearings to review the work of the inspector general to ensure impartiality, independence, and effectiveness.

(b) By January 1, 2027, the commission must conduct at least one hearing on, and provide recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the senate and the house of representatives with jurisdiction over commerce and public safety on, merging the Financial Crimes and Fraud Section of the Department of Public Safety into the Office of the Inspector General. The recommendations should include proposed legislation to effectuate the merger.

Subd. 5.Per diem; expense reimbursement.

Members may be compensated for time spent on commission duties and may be reimbursed for expenses according to the rules of their respective bodies.

Subd. 6.Meeting space; staff.

The Legislative Coordinating Commission must provide meeting space and staff to assist the commission in performing its duties.

Subd. 7.Open meetings.

The Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission is subject to the requirements in section 3.055.

History:

2026 c 92 art 1 s 15