From the office of Senator Aric Putnam
Senator Heather Gustafson was elected Chair of the Commission during their first meeting
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Today, the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission (LIGAC) met for the first time. The Commission, composed of a bipartisan group of lawmakers, will direct the set-up of the state’s new Office of Inspector General, lay out the screening and hiring processes, and eventually make appointment recommendations to the next governor.
“I’m very excited to hit the ground running,” said Senator Heather Gustafson (DFL-Vadnais Heights), author of Senate File 856, which created the new Office. “This has been a long work in progress – over a year and a half since I introduced this bill – and I’m glad that we’re beginning to see this Office of Inspector General take shape. Minnesotans deserve transparency, integrity, and seriousness in their government, and our Inspector General will play a big role in that. This is thorough ‘good governance’ work that the public has been asking for, and I look forward to our important efforts ahead.”
Passed during the 2025-2026 Legislative Biennium with broad bipartisan support, Minnesota’s new Office of Inspector General will be an independent watchdog and steward of taxpayer dollars. The most significant piece of anti-fraud legislation in state history, the Inspector General will investigate allegations of misuse and ensure integrity in state programs and services, independent of partisanship and politics.
During today’s meeting, Senator Heather Gustafson was elected Chair of the Commission. The Commission then heard presentations from the Department of Administration about the duties of the Commission, the required qualifications for candidates, and the timeline for the establishment of the Office. The Commission also elected a sub-committee of its members to interview and screen candidates for the Office, and outlined some parameters and goals for the process.
“Any misuse of our state’s tax dollars is unacceptable,” said Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-Saint Cloud), member of the Commission. “The work ahead is to ensure this office is built to stop fraud and protect taxpayers. We need a strong, independent office with the authority and resources to do its job, no matter who the governor is or who controls the legislature. Today’s first meeting was an important first step in finding an Inspector General who has the independence, experience, and integrity to follow the facts wherever they lead. I’m ready to help make sure we get this right.”
By January 1, 2027, the Commission must make recommendations to the next governor for the first appointment to the Office. After the Commission gives its recommendations, the governor’s appointment will require approval from three-fifths of the Senate to ensure that the duties of the Inspector General are carried out in a non-partisan manner.
You can find more information on the Commission at this link: https://www.lcc.mn.gov/ligac/meetings.html
The meeting was livestreamed on the Minnesota House Info YouTube channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkpaLnfCXo0