Legislative Update from Rep. Nathan Nelson

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Legislative Update

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The 2025 legislative session is officially underway in St. Paul, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work alongside my Republican colleagues. We have a lot of critical work ahead, and the people of Minnesota are counting on us to tackle the challenges facing our state with urgency.

However, while House Republicans have shown up and are working hard, it’s been disappointing to see that my Democrat colleagues have still not shown up to work. Since the session began nine days ago, they have failed to engage in the legislative process, despite the important work that needs to be done for the people of Minnesota.

Combating Fraud and Protecting Taxpayer Dollars: New Legislation Introduced

House Republicans are taking bold steps to crack down on fraud, waste, and abuse in Minnesota’s government. With millions of taxpayer dollars lost to fraud in recent years, we are introducing real, practical solutions to ensure that your money is spent responsibly.

Putting Taxpayers First

To ensure that your hard-earned money is spent wisely, a new Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee has been created. Led by Representative Kristin Robbins (R—Maple Grove), this committee will have the authority to investigate fraud, hold state agencies accountable, and ensure every dollar serves its intended purpose.

The committee’s mission is simple:

1. Accountability: Make sure every dollar is spent wisely.
2. Prevention: Stop fraud before it happens.
3. Transparency: Give taxpayers a clear view of how their money is used.

Key Legislative Proposals

Here’s how House Republicans are taking action to protect your tax dollars:

• Protecting New Programs from Fraud
  Representative Jim Nash’s House File 3 introduces “fraud notes”—a tool to evaluate new laws for fraud risks before they are enacted. This will help prevent problems before they start and protect Minnesota taxpayers from unnecessary losses.
• Strengthening Fraud Prevention in Agencies
  Representative Ben Davis’ House File 2 ensures state agencies take proactive steps to prevent fraud. This legislation mandates stricter reporting requirements, site visits, and quicker actions when fraud is suspected. It’s time for our agencies to act quickly and transparently when fraud is at risk.
• Creating an Independent Watchdog
  Representative Patti Anderson’s House File 1 establishes an independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that will lead the charge against fraud in state government. The OIG will have the power to halt payments when fraud is suspected, operate a fraud hotline, and hold agencies accountable.

A Call for Bipartisan Action

These efforts are crucial to restoring trust in government and protecting taxpayer dollars. While we are leading the charge, we are calling on our colleagues across the aisle to join us in this fight against fraud. Minnesotans deserve a government that operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability, and these bills are an important step toward that goal.

Looking Ahead

As always, your input is incredibly valuable to me. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas about these bills or any other issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact my office by phone or email at rep.nathan.nelson@house.mn.gov.

Thank you for the honor of representing you at the Capitol. Together, we can build a better, more accountable Minnesota.

Warm regards,
Rep. Nathan Nelson
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 11B

State Office Bldg.
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-0518
rep.nathan.nelson@house.mn