Lawmakers Advance Bills Modifying Whistleblower Protections

Financial oversight concerns continue to be a bipartisan focus during the early stages of the legislative session.

Before the 2025 legislative session began, many expected lawmakers to focus on financial oversight and accountability in state government spending. During the week of Feb. 10, both the House and Senate state government committees advanced bills that would modify whistleblower protections for public employees.

Background and testimony

The bills, introduced as HF 23 (Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove) and SF 475 (Sen. Andrew Mathews, R-Princeton), would expand whistleblower protections to public employees who report gross mismanagement or waste in state or local government programs. These employees would be protected from termination, disciplinary action, or discrimination from their employer.

Both chambers adopted an amendment that added definitions of abuse, fraud, and waste to the state’s whistleblower statute (Minnesota Statutes, section 181.932).

The League of Minnesota Cities submitted written testimony at both committee hearings stating that cities share the objective of being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, but outlined concerns that adding new definitions could complicate existing legal precedent and lead to increased litigation.

Committee members in both the House and Senate questioned the bill authors about the definitions, and responses indicated that further discussions are expected as the bills move forward through the committee process.

• View the adopted amendment (pdf).
• Read the League’s written testimony on HF 23 (pdf).

What’s next?

The House State Government Finance and Policy Committee amended and approved HF 23 and sent it to the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee. The Senate State and Local Government Committee amended and approved SF 475 and sent it to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

Your next step

City leaders are encouraged to stay informed about proposals that impact public employers and other legislative developments by subscribing to the Cities Bulletin e-newsletter and reading the latest news on the League’s website.

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