Bill establishing Office of Inspector General sees breakthrough in Minnesota House committee

The battle against fraud in Minnesota continues as state leaders look at a potential solution: an independent Office of Inspector General. 

The watchdog agency faces an uncertain future as lawmakers clash over what it should look like, but it took a crucial step forward on Tuesday. The bill that would create the agency to investigate fraud, waste and abuse within state programs advanced out of a House committee after being stuck there for weeks. 

There's now hope it could be signed by the governor before end of session.

The House State Government Committee recommended a bill for passage Tuesday morning that closely mirrors the version that already passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support.

Lawmakers have been split on key details, like whether the office should have its own law enforcement powers and how leadership is chosen.

Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth previously said those sticking points were being addressed.

"I don't think Democrats in the House can continue to run from fraud," Demuth said. "Stories keep coming forward time after time after time, and they have their hands in this, as far as the fraud that has occurred on their watch. And so the Office of Inspector General is something that is another measure to safeguard taxpayer dollars here. And I think maybe House Democrats are finally serious about wanting to take it further."

The amendment that moved it forward shows that some of the pain points, like law enforcement powers for the office and recommending candidates to the governor, could end up in the bill after all. 

"This will avoid duplication of work the BCA Financial Crimes Division already does," DFL Rep. Matt Norris said last month. "It will also avoid the fiscal inefficiencies that come with small law enforcement agencies. It just makes sense."  

The bill will now go to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee.