This Week In St. Paul: OIG Anti-Fraud Bill Reaches Impasse

February 27, 2026

OIG Anti-Fraud Bill Reaches Impasse

Friends and neighbors,

This week, House Republicans continued our effort to pass the legislative Office of the Inspector General (OIG) anti-fraud bill into law. Over the past year, Republican and Democratic legislators have put aside our political differences to draft this piece of legislation, which will establish an independent OIG to operate under the authority of the legislative branch and have broad leeway to investigate and prosecute fraud in our state. Currently, the authority to prosecute fraud and put criminals behind bars resides solely with the executive branch. In an impressive display of bipartisan support, the bill passed the Senate 60–7. However, I was disheartened to see this week that House Democrats are throwing away the bicameral and bipartisan negotiated language.

While their co-chair had the gavel, they would not allow any debate and discussion on the bill. In the next committee hearing, when the Republican co-chair had the gavel, we did hold debate and discussion. However, House Democrats prevented forwarding the bill to another committee that needed to discuss it. We all see the governor, AG, and Democrat legislators bragging about their plans to fight fraud, but the actual reality is that they are stopping a major step that Minnesota needs.

I will continue to advocate for the original OIG bill that Republicans and Democrats had previously agreed upon, and I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will reconsider their position, as Minnesotans deserve to know that the protection of their hard-earned dollars is not being carried out in a partisan manner.

Increasing Voter Say Over County Positions

This week, a bill that I authored to provide more public accountability for appointed county officials advanced toward passage. In some counties, the legislature has allowed certain elected county positions to be appointed by county commissioners. My bill would return those positions to be responsible to the public, by having a retention election every four years, at a general election. The effect will be to return to the citizens a direct voice in the retention of an appointed official.

A Meeting of the Minds With Future Leaders

I had the pleasure of meeting with a few wonderful members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), where we talked about their future educational and career plans. FCCLA gives students hands-on experiences to grow and succeed, and I am certainly impressed by the smarts and charisma of these young leaders. I will continue to work at the legislature to promote learning opportunities for our youth, and if the students that I met this week are any indication, the future of America is in good hands!

I also had the opportunity to meet with constituents on a wide range of topics, including:

• Small business development
• Athletic trainers associations
• Alcohol retail and regulation
• Head Start programs
• Local library systems
• Boundary Waters protection
• Stray voltage issues in dairy farming
• Pharmacist coverage of health services

Thank you to those who met with me to share your priorities. Conversations like these are a crucial first step in drafting legislation that will improve the lives of Minnesotans.

Please Stay in Touch 

Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts or concerns. My phone number is 651-296-9236 or you can email me at rep.duane.quam@house.mn.

Have a great weekend!

Duane

/RepDuaneQuam

2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.9236