A rein-in of state agency fee and fine increases proposed

State agencies could not increase an existing fee or fine by more than 10 percent in a single biennium under the provisions of a bill approved by the House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee Wednesday.

This is one of three provisions in HF2213, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Anderson (R-Plymouth), that remain after the committee adopted a delete-all amendment  scaling back what had been a larger bill first introduced in 2015.

Rep. Sarah Anderson

“These are some provisions that were part of the state government finance bill from last year,” Anderson said.

In addition to the fees provision, the amended bill – which was referred to the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee and has no Senate companion – contains two more sections.

It would require the Office of the State Auditor to prepare a report by next January that includes a strategic plan ensuring all local governments receive “adequate oversight” from the office. The plan must assess the types of audits that are most effective “for ensuring public funds have been used appropriately,” what work can be performed by CPA firms, and what the most effective deployment of office resources. It must also evaluate the importance of the reports it produces, other than financial audits.

The amended bill also requires the auditor to report to the Legislature on the costs to counties for eligibility determinations and enrollments for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees due to implementing MNsure’s technology system.

When introduced last year, the bill included new requirements for interagency agreements with MN.IT, which provides the state’s information technology services and yearly reports on IT spending. It also included a repeal of the law creating the Legislative Water Commission; a prohibition on state agencies entering into IT contracts of more than $100,000 without approval from MN.IT; and a requirement that state agencies solicit proposals from MN.IT, along with at least one outside agency, before entering a service agreement.