FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Gavin Miller
gavin.miller@house.mn.gov
House Republicans Celebrate Whistleblower Protections with Unanimous Passage of House File 23, While House File 3 is Tabled
ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Minnesota House Republicans celebrated the passage of House File 23, which expands whistleblower protections for state employees. The bill received unanimous support, with all 133 legislators voting in favor. House File 23 now includes clearer definitions for misuse, fraud, and misconduct within state government, ensuring employees who report these issues are protected from retaliation. During the floor session, the bill was amended to replace the language of "waste and abuse" with "misuse," aligning with the language used in other bills currently under consideration, to ensure consistency across legislative efforts.
However, House File 3, a bill aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within state agencies, was tabled for future consideration after all House Democrats voted against it. House File 3 would have required the Legislative Auditor to submit annual reports detailing whether state agencies had implemented recommendations from audits, ensuring stronger oversight of government spending.
"I will continue to turn over every rock in St. Paul until I find every last penny of your hard-earned tax money," said Representative Terry Stier. "More oversight is a start, but the Democrats refuse to support it. This is a missed opportunity to hold agencies accountable and ensure that Minnesota taxpayers are not being taken advantage of."
Despite the setback with House File 3, Republicans remain committed to fighting for stronger oversight of government spending and ensuring greater accountability in the use of taxpayer resources.