It was great participating in a National Day of Prayer event with fellow legislators at the Capitol yesterday.
Dear Neighbor,
There is good news to report from the House this week as take a look at the latest from St. Paul entering the final week of the 2026 session. Here’s a rundown of recent developments:
Anti-fraud bill passes
For two years, House Republicans have fought hard to establish an independent Office of Inspector General to root out waste, fraud, and abuse. This week, we delivered big time as the House passed S.F. 856 creating an OIG that will operate independently with future law enforcement authority.
As the bill passed the House, the OIG would be responsible for investigating state agencies, grant recipients, and contractors. It also would have subpoena power and the authority to freeze or stop distribution of funds under court order.
As much as we need to crack down on the criminals who steal from state programs, we need to make sure the state workers are doing their part to safeguard taxpayer dollars. This bill is a step in the right direction in those regards.
More work needs to be done to root out fraud in Minnesota, but it’s good to see this bill finally moved through the House after Republicans stood our ground on essential provisions. The bill is now in the hands of the Senate.
Public safety
As a staunch Second Amendment supporter, I’d like to share some of my concerns over a radical anti-gun bill (S.F. 4067) Senate Democrats passed this week on a 34-33 party-line vote.
This bill bans most semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns based on a single common feature, while also prohibiting every magazine that holds more than 17 rounds. It also forces every existing owner to register their firearms and magazines with the BCA and renew every three years, with felony penalties for failing to comply. It also re-enacts the binary trigger ban retroactively to Jan. 1, 2025.
There is concern this bill would do more to impact Minnesotans who use their firearms and magazines for self-defense, hunting and sport shooting than shut down violent criminals. This bill clearly is unconstitutional, but the good news is it will go nowhere in the House because Republicans are united in opposition. That said, this paints a pretty good picture if you're wondering what our future would look like if Democrats were to gain full control of the Capitol.
Gandhi demoted
DHS commissioner Shireen Gandhi was demoted this week, one day before she was scheduled to appear in front of the Senate to be confirmed. For the second time in a less than a year, the day before a Walz employee is set to face tough questions over the DHS’s failed response to fraud, they’re removed from their position.
Gandhi was DHS’s Chief Compliance Officer who Walz promoted to Commissioner, despite her being in the department for years as the fraud was taking place. With her removal, Minnesotans will not get the answers they deserve. We can only hope the next DHS head will provide the leadership we need.
Look for more from the Capitol soon. We only have nine days left before adjournment to tackle important issues such as tax relief for Minnesota families and businesses.
Sincerely,
Scott