February 7, 2022
| Members Present: | Member Absent: |
| Representative Connie Bernardy | Senator Mary Kiffmeyer |
| Representative Sondra Erickson | |
| Representative Rick Hansen | |
| Representative Tina Liebling | |
| Representative Nels Pierson | |
| Representative Duane Quam | |
| Senator Michelle Benson | |
| Senator Nick A. Frentz | |
| Senator Matt D. Klein | |
| Senator Mark W. Koran | |
| Senator Ann H. Rest |
Senator Koran, Chair, called the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC) meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. The purpose of the meeting was to release the Office of the Legislative Auditor’s (OLA’s) evaluation, Department of Commerce’s Civil Insurance Complaint Investigation.
Judy Randall, Legislative Auditor, gave a brief overview of the evaluation, saying that it was a smaller scoped project. Ms. Randall introduced Jodi Munson Rodríguez, Project Manager for OLA’s Program Evaluation Division, to give a presentation. Ms. Munson Rodríguez provided background information on the Department of Commerce’s insurance regulation activities and explained the evaluation’s key findings and recommendations.
Senator Koran invited Grace Arnold, Department of Commerce Commissioner, to address the commission members. Ms. Arnold said that she appreciated the commission’s time and the OLA staff’s dedication to understanding the civil insurance investigations and their feedback for improving their processes and policies. She said that Commerce is committed to continued improvements to best protect the public interest; advocate for Minnesota consumers; and ensure a strong, competitive, and fair insurance marketplace.
Ms. Arnold responded to several members’ questions and comments. Additionally, a brief discussion occurred on the difference between the program evaluation being discussed at this meeting and the special review—Department of Commerce Fraud Bureau—that was released in January 2022.
With no further discussion, Senator Koran adjourned the meeting at 9:08 a.m.
Senator Mark W. Koran, Chair
Shelly Gilb, Recording Secretary
