All Roll Calls
Yes: 844 • No: 541
MinnesotaSF 85694th Legislature, 2025-2026Senate
Office of the Inspector General creation and appropriation
Sponsored By: Heather Gustafson (Democratic)
Became Law
State and Local GovernmentState and Local Governmenta 5Judiciary and Public SafetyState Government Finance and Policy
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Independent oversight of Minnesota taxpayer money
Beginning January 1, 2026, the law creates an independent Minnesota Office of the Inspector General. Only its advisory council can direct the office; other government authorities cannot interfere. The office can audit, inspect, evaluate, and investigate executive agencies, programs, grants, contracts, and public or private groups receiving taxpayer money. It can require relevant records or testimony and refer cases for civil, criminal, or administrative action. It can also review senior agency candidates for conflicts before appointment. The office can create a law-enforcement and public-safety investigation division, independent of the Attorney General and Department of Public Safety. People can report fraud, waste, and abuse anonymously through a required phone line and website. The office must post public findings, recommendations, outcomes, and annual reports online, while removing information needed to protect privacy and whistleblowers. The law does not directly change household taxes, benefits, wages, or fees.
Independent leadership rules for Minnesota oversight
An 11-member advisory council chooses the Inspector General through a competitive process and oversees the office. The four legislative leaders each appoint two members; the legislative auditor appoints two; the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension superintendent appoints one representative. Council members need relevant knowledge or experience and cannot be current lobbyists or have lobbied in the previous five years. Members serve at their appointing authority's pleasure. Initial appointments were due August 1, 2025, and the first meeting was due September 15, 2025. The council must appoint the Inspector General by January 1, 2026. Beginning that date, candidates need a related bachelor's degree, at least 10 years of relevant experience, and an Association of Inspectors General certificate. Accepted certificates are Certified Inspector General or Certified Inspector General Investigator. Candidates must show a commitment to public service and publicly disclose prior opinions, positions, or actions that may influence their work. Commissioners, agency heads, and deputy heads must wait five years after leaving those jobs before serving. The Inspector General can serve up to two five-year terms; removal requires cause and at least 60% council approval. The office must follow recognized professional standards, and the council must publish an outside quality review every three years. Council members can receive daily pay and expense repayment under state law, with no amounts specified here. The Legislative Coordinating Commission must provide meeting space and staff support.
State funding and staff for oversight
Beginning January 1, 2026, the law provides staff and resources for the new oversight office, alongside ongoing state spending. It provides general fund money each year, but the supplied text leaves the amount unspecified. The Inspector General can hire accountants, legal experts, investigators, and outside specialists. The office must employ at least two licensed peace officers as investigators. Before September 1, 2026, existing state inspector general offices must transfer their staff, assets, and unused funds to the new office. The new office must be fully operational by September 1, 2026. The Commissioner of Administration must provide Capitol Mall office space through a rental agreement. These changes do not directly require households to make new payments.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Heather Gustafson
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Anderson, P. E.
Affiliation unavailable
Clardy
Affiliation unavailable
Rich Draheim
Republican • Senate
Elkins
Affiliation unavailable
Gottfried
Affiliation unavailable
Johnson, P.
Affiliation unavailable
Klevorn
Affiliation unavailable
Michael E. Kreun
Republican • Senate
Ron Latz
Democratic • Senate
Norris
Affiliation unavailable
Aric Putnam
Democratic • Senate
Virnig
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/11/2026
Repassage of S.F. No. 856, as amended by the House
Yes: 66 • No: 0
House vote • 5/7/2026
Amendment
Yes: 66 • No: 67
House vote • 5/7/2026
Amendment
Yes: 65 • No: 67
House vote • 5/7/2026
Passage, as amended
Yes: 127 • No: 5
House vote • 5/7/2026
Amendment
Yes: 65 • No: 67
House vote • 2/25/2026
Nash motion Recall and Re-refer
Yes: 67 • No: 66
House vote • 2/19/2026
MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
Yes: 66 • No: 67
House vote • 5/19/2025
Anderson, P. E., motion - Suspension of Rules
Yes: 70 • No: 63
House vote • 5/19/2025
Freiberg motion - Lay on the Table
Yes: 65 • No: 68
Senate vote • 5/8/2025
Final passage of S.F. No. 856, as amended
Yes: 60 • No: 7
Senate vote • 5/8/2025
Amendment: Kreun (A87) amendment
Yes: 58 • No: 5
Senate vote • 5/8/2025
Amendment: Latz (A85) amendment
Yes: 50 • No: 14
Senate vote • 5/8/2025
Motion that the third reading of S.F. No. 856 be now reconsidered
Yes: 19 • No: 45
Actions Timeline
Secretary of State, Filed
5/15/2026HouseSecretary of State Chapter 92
5/15/2026SenateGovernor's action Approval
5/14/2026SenatePresentment date
5/12/2026SenateThird reading Passed as amended vote: 66-0
5/11/2026SenateSenate concurred and repassed bill 11
5/11/2026SenateReturned from House with amendmenta
5/11/2026SenateBill was passed as amended vote: 127-5
5/7/2026HouseThird reading as amended
5/7/2026HouseAmendeda
5/7/2026HouseMotion prevailed
5/7/2026HouseMotion to suspend rules
5/7/2026HouseHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Thursday, May 7, 2026
5/6/2026HouseSecond reading
5/4/2026HouseCommittee report, to adopt as amendeda
5/4/2026HouseCommittee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and Meansa
4/7/2026HouseCommittee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Judiciary Finance and Civil Lawa
3/25/2026HouseMotion to recall and re-refer, motion did not prevail Judiciary Finance and Civil Law 68 votes required for motion to prevail. vote: 67-66
2/25/2026HouseMotion did not prevail 90 votes needed for suspension of rules vote: 66-67
2/19/2026HouseMotion to suspend rules
2/19/2026HouseMotion did not prevail 2/3 vote required to suspend rules vote: 70-63
5/19/2025HouseMotion to suspend rules question recurred
5/19/2025HouseMotion did not prevail vote: 65-68
5/19/2025HouseMotion to lay on the table
5/19/2025HouseMotion to suspend rules
5/19/2025House
Bill Text
10th Engrossment
11th Engrossment
1st Engrossment
2nd Engrossment
3rd Engrossment
4th Engrossment
5th Engrossment
6th Engrossment
7th Engrossment
8th Engrossment
9th Engrossment
Introduction
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