1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to state government; increasing penalties for employees and officials for
1.3 failure to stop fraudulent payments; enhancing responsibilities for employees and
1.4 officials to stop fraudulent payments; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections
1.5 16A.41, subdivision 1; 609.455.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16A.41, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.8 Subdivision 1.Certified.(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) and subdivision 1a,
1.9when claims against the state are made for which there is an appropriation available, an
1.10official with authority to pay a claim shall approve the claim by certifying that the service
1.11was performed, the goods or material furnished, or monthly telephone service is in effect.
1.12The claim must be sent to the commissioner accompanied by a transmittal form as prescribed
1.13by the commissioner.
1.14 (b) If an employee or official has reported misuse of public funds related to the claim,
1.15the official violates section 609.455 by disbursing the funds before a completed investigation
1.16by the attorney general or legislative auditor concludes that the claim is not in violation of
1.17law.
1.18 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.455, is amended to read:
1.19 609.455 PERMITTING PREVENTING FALSE AND FRAUDULENT CLAIMS
1.20AGAINST GOVERNMENT .
1.21 (a) A public officer or employee who audits, allows, or pays any claim or demand made
1.22upon the state or subdivision thereof or other governmental instrumentality within the state
1Sec. 2.
25-04530 as introduced03/11/25 REVISOR SGS/DG
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 2672NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: DRAZKOWSKI and Lucero)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading03/17/2025
Referred to State and Local Government 2.1which the public officer or employee knows is false or fraudulent in whole or in part, may
2.2be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five seven years or to payment of a fine of
2.3not more than $10,000 $20,000, or both, unless payment of the claim or demand is ordered
2.4by a court.
2.5 (b) For purposes of this section, "claim or demand" means any payment of public funds
2.6to a person, business, or organization, including a payment under a government grant
2.7program, payment on a contract, and a grant of money appropriated by name to the recipient.
2Sec. 2.
25-04530 as introduced03/11/25 REVISOR SGS/DG