Transcript Highlights:

• That's just a brief history of what the OIG does, and would you like me to go into the...
• These positions will enable the OIG to increase its monitoring.
• These positions will enable the OIG to increase its monitoring of investigations into allegations of
• Finally, the OIG will exercise its discretion whether to conduct supplemental investigative work when
• So we were talking about the OIG and the reviews that are being done.

Summary: The hearing focused first on sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation in California’s women’s prisons, with testimony from CDCR wardens, the Office of Inspector General, advocacy groups, and formerly incarcerated survivors. Legislators and witnesses described a pattern of staff misconduct, fear of retaliation, gaps in reporting, and the need for stronger accountability, better investigations, and more outside access for survivor support organizations. CDCR said it has expanded training, body-worn and stationary cameras, outside partnerships, and PREA-related response procedures, while the Inspector General requested additional funding and staff to monitor more grievances and staff sexual misconduct cases under SB 1069. Members pressed CDCR on why accused staff are not always placed on leave, how cases are referred to prosecutors, and whether current protections are enough; several members argued the state should aim to investigate all complaints and do more to prevent retaliation and repeat abuse. The second issue was rehabilitative and reentry programming in women’s prisons. CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs and the wardens highlighted education, vocational training, substance use treatment, peer support, and community reentry programs, citing increased enrollment and recent graduates earning diplomas, degrees, and certifications. They said these programs are intended to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Formerly incarcerated advocates and community providers argued that current offerings are still too limited, outdated, and not aligned with today’s job market, especially around digital literacy and transferable credentials, and they urged more funding for community-based, trauma-informed, gender-responsive programming. A coalition representative asked for a $20 million continuation and expansion of the Wright Grant program, and members discussed additional budget requests for reentry and related women’s services.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill and other I was working on the OIG bill and other things<00:21:08.840> and<00:21:09.080>
• Let's say the OIG gives a recommendation or makes a ruling. Does it go to court?
• We have to hire the OIG, we've got to get their staff, bring the MDE staff over.
• So, but we know absolutely from tons of whistleblowing and OIG, OLA reports and everything else, these
• So, but we know absolutely from tons of whistleblowing and OIG, OLA reports and everything else, these

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee Chair Kristen Robbins opened the meeting by explaining that the committee’s majority report had been released after the minority declined to file a minority report, though the minority later issued a statement. She said the report reflects two years of work aimed at exposing fraud, strengthening internal controls, and creating a whistleblower portal, mnfraud.com, which will remain open during the interim to receive and review tips. Robbins and several Republican members described the report as documenting how fraud in Minnesota began with earlier CCAP-related schemes and then expanded into Feeding Our Future and other programs, including housing stabilization, autism services, sober homes, adult day care, assisted living, non-emergency medical transportation, and interpretive services. They argued that fraud was enabled by weak oversight, a culture of inaction, and retaliation against whistleblowers, and said the report includes findings and recommendations for future reforms. Members also highlighted bipartisan bills already passed to strengthen whistleblower protections, internal controls, and fraud reporting. Representative Pam Altendorf and others praised the report and said it exposed widespread misuse of public funds, citing housing stabilization and autism services as examples of programs with rapidly growing costs and weak oversight. Representative Isaac Schultz said the committee had uncovered “industrial-scale” fraud and that the state had failed to hold agencies accountable. He and Robbins said the new Office of Inspector General, created by legislation passed this session and set to begin in January, will have broad authority to investigate public dollars and, later, police powers; they also noted a salary-setting provision for the office would be added to a state government bill. The members said the next governor will need to change the culture of state agencies and enforce accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be one investigator added to the OIG team.
• There will be one investigator added to the OIG team.
• at the and set up our oig team at the Department<00:20:22.679> of<00:20:23.039> Education<
• to investigate fraud waste and the oig to investigate fraud waste and abuse<00:21:04.720> and
• He said that is part of the work they do in the OIG and the investigations they are doing.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And if and the OIG coordinating council.
• on all partisan activities for all OIG on all partisan activities for all OIG employees<00:20:42.080
• all feel strongly about the OIG bill. all feel strongly about the OIG bill.
• The OIG bill is alive and well. It is in committee. We don't recess until May.
• The OIG bill is alive and well. It is in committee. We don't recess until May.

Bills: SF856, HF3168, HF3528, HF389

Keywords: Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, ethnic councils, diversity, governance, state participation, community representation, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, Minnesota Historical Society

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcing and enforcing the laws an oig enforcing and enforcing the laws an oig is<00:20:06.480>
• The HHS has several hundred people that report to that OIG, but they don't need to be part of the OIG
• they don't need to be part of the oig they don't need to be part of the oig they're<00:33:54.840
• The OIG cannot dictate where grants go, for example.
• very careful uh the the uh the oig very careful uh the the uh the oig cannot<00:36:02.240> dictate

Bills: HF25, HF1, HF428

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• He had said that if we passed a bill for an independent OIG and put it on his desk, he said this during
• He had said that if we passed a bill for an independent OIG and put it on his desk, he said this during
• He had said that if we passed a bill for an independent OIG and put it on his desk, he said this during
• He had said that if we passed a bill for an independent OIG and put it on his desk, he said this during
• we passed a bill for an independent OIG we passed a bill for an independent OIG and<00:10:44.800

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Republican legislative leaders in Minnesota held a budget-focused press availability after the November forecast, thanking Minnesota Management and Budget staff while arguing the updated numbers show a much worse deficit outlook than expected. They said the state faces a structural spending problem, cited projected gaps in the 2028-29 biennium and over the four-year outlook, and blamed recent deficits on higher spending, tax increases, mandates, and what they described as fraud in state programs. They also criticized Governor Walz for focusing on federal issues and for not doing enough to control spending or address fraud. Speaker Lisa Demuth, House Republican Leader Harry Niska, and Senate Finance lead Eric Pratt all said the forecast underscores the need for spending restraint, pro-growth policies, and stronger fraud prevention. They pointed to health care, long-term care, Medicaid-related programs, and local government mandates as major cost drivers, and said the legislature should examine those areas in the upcoming session. Demuth said the state should not ignore fraud and noted that the legislature had added staff to the Office of the Legislative Auditor and whistleblower protections, but had not passed an independent inspector general office. A substantial portion of the exchange centered on fraud investigations and comments by President Trump about Somali Minnesotans. The Republican leaders said they disagreed with condemning any community as a whole, but also said they shared frustration over fraud and corruption and wanted accountability for those responsible. They said the state’s fraud problem is not about any one community, but about failures in administration and oversight. The lawmakers said they would return to session on February 17 and continue working on budget and fraud-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's $15 million for the OIG. The OIG is going to need technology, too, of course.
• So, when the OIG actually gets into office, they can hit the ground running.
• It's $15 million for the OIG. The OIG is going to need technology, too, of course.
• I'm asked three times for the money for the IT system for the OIG.
• I'm asked three times for the money for the IT system for the OIG.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4808, as amended by a DE3, a human services technology modernization bill. The author described the measure as a multi-year effort to modernize outdated county systems, improve data integration, and strengthen program integrity and fraud detection. The bill would create a Human Services Modernization Fund with a $50 million cap, establish an advisory council with strong county and tribal representation, and create a legislative commission to oversee the work and receive annual reports. It also includes a $10 million county-focused grant fund and a $15 million appropriation for the Office of Inspector General’s technology needs. Testimony from the Association of Minnesota Counties and related county groups strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for immediate modernization, the importance of county and tribal involvement, and the value of legislative oversight. Members from both parties echoed support, saying the bill would help county workers spend less time on outdated systems and more time serving clients, and that better system integration could reduce errors and fraud issues. One member suggested that audits should be considered in the future in addition to reporting requirements. The committee adopted the DE3 amendment without opposition. After discussion, the chair renewed the motion to refer House File 4808, as amended, to the general register, and the motion passed on a voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:01.160> that So, is somebody here from the OIG that So, is somebody here from the OIG
• There's an OIG person.
• somebody to come down and There's a OIG somebody to come down and There's a OIG person person person
• OIG can't come<01:03:29.880> and<01:03:29.960> Mr.
• Chair also maybe the OIG come and Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What do we do a statewide OIG? I'm not tackling anything to do with that.
• What do we do a statewide OIG? I'm not tackling anything to do with that.
• department came yesterday with their OIG department came yesterday with their OIG bill, bill, bill
• uh the the DHS OIG. uh the the DHS OIG.
• I'm not do we do a statewide OIG?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OIG employs about 120 unit investigators assigned to the 104 TDCJ facilities.
• Specifically, we are, as in OIG, focusing on the criminal enterprise.
• Specifically, we are, as in OIG, focusing on the criminal enterprise.
• Another approach is being taken where OIG, OASA,... They're targeted searches on those.
• Perhaps the largest joint effort involves OIG strike force members in TDCJ's Intelligence Center.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's laid out which positions will be staying within the agencies versus going to the OIG.
• Are there any other OIGs structured throughout the country in this fashion?
• Are there any other OIGs structured throughout the country in this fashion?
• Are there any other OIGs structured throughout the country in this fashion?
• misrepresent facts I.E lie to the oig misrepresent facts I.E lie to the oig becomes<00:42:27.440

Bills: HF1, HF1754, HF1809, HF1478

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Other OIG peace officers investigate SNAP fraud at retailers and collaborate with other law enforcement
• I believe the OIG is here to answer questions as needed, and I reserve the right to close.
• The FBI granted the OIG a grace period until April 1st, 2026, to make the necessary statutory changes
• Without the changes, the OIG risks losing access to critical criminal history record information. ...
• Without these changes, the ...OIG risks losing access to critical criminal history record information

Bills: HB1531, HB2667, HB2809, HB2865, HB3589, HB3151, HB3748, HB3750, HB4419, HB4643, HB3597, HB4129, HB4130, HB4131

Keywords: workplace violence prevention, health and safety code, Chapter 331, facility definition, home and community support services agency, home health agency, home health care, nursing staff, registered nurses, health care workplace safety, hospital, nursing facility, ambulatory surgical center, freestanding emergency medical care facility, mental hospital, Texas health care regulation, provider compliance, occupational safety, senior living, referral agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• There are three divisions within OIG: the Licensing Division, the Background Studies Division, and the
• DHS OIG also engages in efforts to reduce recipient fraud or prevent recipient fraud.
• <01:10:49.280> overseas<01:10:49.679> fraud prevention um the DHS oig overseas fraud
• also engages in efforts to DHS oig also engages in efforts to reduce<01:12:04.360> recipient<
• <01:17:22.560> about I think um speaking to the oig about I think um speaking to the oig about

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and staff roles. Nonpartisan House Research and House Fiscal staff explained that they draft bills and amendments, prepare bill summaries and background research, answer legal and fiscal questions, and help track revenue and budget effects. They also distributed a Budget Overview Brief intended to condense the larger budget materials into a more usable format for members. Staff then walked through the Human Services budget and the committee’s areas of responsibility. They described the department structure, noting that DHS oversees administration, compliance, rulemaking, and county support, and that the overall Human Services budget is large, with medical assistance as the dominant program. They also explained recent and upcoming reorganizations: many children and family-related functions are moving to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Direct Care and Treatment is becoming its own agency, and some homelessness-related functions remain at DHS. Staff reviewed how the budget is organized by program and budget activity, the difference between direct appropriations and standing appropriations, and how forecasted programs and “tails” work in the budget process. The presentation also covered Medicaid financing and long-term care. Staff explained the federal-state FMAP match, including Minnesota’s current 51.16% federal match for most Medicaid spending, the CHIP match, and the 90% federal share for the expansion population. For long-term care, they outlined Medical Assistance services for elderly and disabled people, state-funded long-term care supports, and Board on Aging programs. They highlighted the personal care assistance program’s phaseout and replacement by Community First Services and Supports, and reviewed the five home- and community-based waivers. Members asked one question about refugee resettlement funding, specifically whether it covers flights; staff said they would need to follow up on the exact use of the federal funds. No bills were heard, and no formal votes or other committee actions were taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, we are proposing one investigator added to the OIG team.
• We're also proposing policy for our OIG and charter school program oversight.
• As the OIG progresses through oversight.
• So if refer to the BCA, FBI, HHS, OIG.
• have the federally required OIG have the federally required OIG requirements<01:20:01.760> met

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also proposing policy for our OIG and charter school program oversight.
• For three FTE and software advancements, there will be one investigator added to the OIG team.
• We're also proposing policy for our OIG and charter school program oversight.
• :21.440> the<00:23:21.559> oig<00:23:21.960> progresses<00:23:22.480> through
• oversight as the oig progresses through oversight as the oig progresses through its<00:23:22.760

Bills: HF1470, HF1310, HF1837

Keywords: opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations

Transcript Highlights:

• information on the transfer of the oig information on the transfer of the oig functions<00:17:07.640
• <00:18:59.640> is care licensing services and the oig is care licensing services and the oig
• The OIG is able to take administrative action when it finds fraud, abuse, and error, and those tools
• well commissioner that for the oig well commissioner that for the oig you're<00:35:42.079> going
• child care center curious if the oig child care center curious if the oig department<00:36:44.079

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• needed for our oig to be able<01:10:43.920> to<01:10:44.080> conduct<01:10:44.400>
• <01:10:53.440> establishment the establish of the oig establishment the establish of the oig
• He said MDE is considering the demand of investigations to make sure the OIG has the capacity needed,
• > is inand with our oig obviously the oig is inand with our oig obviously the oig is independent<
• to provide that assistance so the oig to provide that assistance so the oig can<01:15:36.239>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor's proposed statewide OIG will first conduct, review, and oversee investigations.
• statewide OIG. statewide OIG.
• going to be in place cuz we had a an OIG going to be in place cuz we had a an OIG in<00:15:06.079
• <00:15:45.640> effort references the the statewide OIG effort references the the statewide
• This is the OIG general policy bill. I want to be really clear this is policy only.

Bills: HF4525, HF3002, HF3665, HF4420

Keywords: human services, background studies, NETStudy 2.0, licensing, license suspension, license revocation, provider enrollment, program integrity, fraud, medical assistance fraud, Medicaid, payment withholding, credible allegation of fraud, background check, disqualification, variance, set-aside, foster care, family foster setting, adult foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• 09:55.360> solutions And after years of fraud on Democrats' watch, House Republicans made the OIG
• 00:10:22.960> Republicans<00:10:23.920> made<00:10:24.280> the<00:10:24.480> OIG
• watch, House Republicans made the OIG watch, House Republicans made the OIG bill<00:10:25.240>
• kept saying no and pushing back and saying no, and we found out that not everybody really wanted the OIG
• kept saying no and pushing back and saying no, and we found out that not everybody really wanted the OIG

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republican leaders in Minnesota gave a post-session recap focused on what they described as major accomplishments in a tied legislature. They highlighted passage of the Office of Inspector General bill to combat fraud, along with tax and fee relief measures including $125 million in property tax relief and $250 million in car tab reductions. They also pointed to funding for hospitals and uncompensated care, county IT modernization, school safety and mental health programs, public official safety at the Capitol and judicial branch, and a $1.2 billion bonding bill for infrastructure. Leaders repeatedly contrasted this session with the prior Democratic trifecta, arguing Republicans blocked new tax increases and helped make government more accountable and affordable. They said the OIG bill had been a top priority, had previously been blocked in the House, and was now signed into law. On health care, they said the final package included support for hospitals and denied that discussions about 340B involved pharmaceutical companies, saying offers on that issue were rejected by House Democrats. In response to questions, leaders said the tie forced public negotiation and that Minnesotans were the real winners because lawmakers worked together. They also defended the lack of final floor votes on gun-related proposals, saying those measures had been voted on multiple times in committee and on the floor but did not have the votes to pass. On transparency, they said the process was as open as possible and that bonding projects had been heard in committee and reviewed by the bonding team before inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if he spoke to him with him with OIG. Mr. Sands, you know that? that.
• I don't know if he spoke to him with OIG. Mr. Sands, you know that? I don't believe so. Yeah, yeah.
• I don't know if he spoke to him with OIG. Mr. Sands, you know that? I don't believe so. Yeah, yeah.
• I don't know if he spoke to him with OIG. Mr. Sands, you know that? I don't believe so. Yeah, yeah.
• I don't know if he spoke to him with OIG. Mr. Sands, you know that? I don't believe so. Yeah, yeah.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed several Fish and Wildlife regulations. Staff explained amendments to 301 KAR 2:176, 4:112, and 6:030, including updating wildlife control tag language, creating an impoundment agent program for seized wildlife, and clarifying boating safety rules. A member raised a concern about boat wakes near docks, and staff said the commission had recently voted on related changes that were not yet included because the regulation had been filed earlier; those changes would have to come back later. The committee approved the staff amendments without objection. The Board of Veterinary Examiners then presented 201 KAR 16:767, which would require veterinary managers to be physically present during business hours and limit them to five registered facilities. Board representatives said they had tried to meet with affected parties before the hearing but had not reached agreement. A representative for Kentucky Pet IQ argued the rule was written for full-service hospitals and would be impractical for short, limited-service clinics that only provide vaccinations, preventive care, and parasite testing. Members expressed concern about the rule’s impact on veterinary access in underserved areas, and the committee voted to defer the regulation until the next month so the parties could continue negotiating. The committee next considered Transportation Cabinet 601 KAR 9:120, the online insurance verification system, in both ordinary and emergency form. The chair said staff had identified conflicts with a bill passed the prior year and moved to find the regulations deficient. The motion passed on a roll call vote, with six ayes and two pass votes. The committee then found ordinary ABC regulations 804 KAR 12:020 and 12:030 deficient as well, again by six ayes and two pass votes, after noting that the emergency versions had already been found deficient the previous month. Finally, the committee reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services 902 KAR 55:110, which would require veterinarians to report dispensed controlled substances to KASPER while exempting administered medications. OIG staff said the rule was meant to align regulation with statute, which includes veterinarians as prescribers, and emphasized that the reporting duty applies to prescriptions, not administration to animals. Some members supported the change as a needed anti-diversion measure, while others worried about implementation burdens and timing. After discussion, the committee found the regulation deficient by a 6-2 vote. The meeting then moved into full review of 922 KAR 1:565, a Department for Community Based Services rule implementing kinship care provisions from Senate Bill 151; staff said it was needed for implementation once funding is available, but a member criticized the two-year delay and the inclusion of language conditioning implementation on funding. A public witness from the Kinship Families Coalition argued the rule should not shift the 120-day application window in a way that could affect federal funding eligibility and urged the committee to reject the regulation as written.