Office of the Legislative Auditor

Legislative Audit Commission

Minutes

March 9, 2015

Members Present:	Members Absent:
Representative Sondra Erickson	Representative Connie Bernardy
Representative Phyllis Kahn	Representative Rick Hansen
Representative Duane Quam	Representative Linda Runbeck
Senator Michelle Benson	Senator Ann H. Rest
Senator Mary Kiffmeyer
Senator Warren Limmer
Senator James Metzen
Senator Roger J. Reinert

 

Senator Reinert, Chair, called the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC) meeting to order at 4:25 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to elect new officers of the LAC as required by law.

Senator Reinert asked Jim Nobles, Legislative Auditor, to explain the law. Mr. Nobles said that Minnesota law requires the chair to rotate every two years between the House and Senate. He said that the vice chair is held by a member from the opposite chamber than the chair. He added that this is not in statute, but has been tradition of the LAC.

Senator Reinert requested nominations for chair. Senator Kiffmeyer nominated Representative Erickson as chair. Receiving no other nominations, the motion passed unanimously by a voice vote. Representative Erickson assumed the chair and requested nominations for vice chair. Senator Metzen nominated Senator Reinert as vice chair. Receiving no other nominations, the motion prevailed.

Mr. Nobles announced that the following reports would be released soon:

• Managed Care Organizations’ Administrative Expenses on March 10
• Minnesota Board of Nursing: Complaint Resolution Process on March 19
• University of Minnesota, The Dan Markingson Case on March 19
• Minnesota Film and TV Board in mid-April
• Mineral Taxation in late April

Mr. Nobles also said that the topic selection process would need to get underway as soon as possible and that he would be drafting a letter from Representative Erickson requesting topic suggestions.

In response to a question by Senator Kiffmeyer, Mr. Nobles said that progress towards the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) having its own line item in the budget was an ongoing process. Senator Kiffmeyer suggested that a letter be written and signed by all members of the LAC in support of this process. She said that if she were a member of the committee deciding OLA’s budget, a letter signed by all members of the commission would be important. With all members in agreement, it was decided that Mr. Nobles would prepare a draft letter for their review.

With no further business, Representative Erickson adjourned the meeting at 4:38 p.m.

Representative Sondra Erickson, Chair

Shelly Watterud, Recording Secretary