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CS




Dear Neighbor,

Another very productive week is coming to a close in the House as we continue moving important bills through the process. Here’s the latest:

*Protecting whistleblowers*

The full House this week approved a bill expanding whistleblower protections for state employees who report government fraud and the misuse of state or federal funds.

This legislation strengthens transparency and accountability by ensuring public employees can expose misconduct without fear of retaliation. While Minnesota law already includes whistleblower protections, this bill enhances them by explicitly safeguarding reports of fraud and financial misuse in state programs.

These protections are broadened in the bill (H.F. 23 [ [link removed] ]) to cover all state employees, not just classified workers, and explicitly recognizes reports of fraud and misuse as protected disclosures. In addition, the bill, expands the list of entities whistleblowers can report to. Law enforcement and other government agencies are now included.

The bill passed the House unanimously, 133-0, and moved to the Senate.

*Capitol visitors*

wedz

Thanks to local constituent Lora Hopp (above) for taking time to discuss issues during Insurance Day on the Hill, and to Wes Clerc (below) for meeting with me on behalf of McDonald's restaurant owner-operators. I appreciate the input.

wes

*Supporting women and children*

House Republicans brought two bills to the floor on Thursday supporting women and children:


* The Supporting Women Act (HF 25 [ [link removed] ]) restores a grant from 2005 called Positive Alternatives, which Democrats took away in 2023. The bill appropriates $8 million per two years to women’s pregnancy centers and maternity homes.
* The Born Alive Rollback (HF 24 [ [link removed] ]) extends legal protections to infants who are born alive after an abortion procedure. This bill would require that doctors protect the lives of infants under these adverse circumstances in the same way that they protect infants born under normal conditions. 

It is disappointing House Democrats voted down both bills.

*Keeping Minnesota safe*

House Republicans hosted a press conference this week to talk about a bill (H.F. 16 [ [link removed] ]) that would ban sanctuary cities in Minnesota and require that illegal immigrants suspected of violent crimes be reported to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even if they aren’t officially charged.

This comes after President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act in response to the tragic murder of Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant with a criminal record. The law ensures that illegal immigrants with a history of violent crimes are reported to ICE immediately and stops state and local governments from interfering with immigration enforcement.

This comes at a time Minneapolis and St. Paul have joined a lawsuit against President Trump over sanctuary city policies.

The people have made it clear they want stronger borders and enforcement of immigration laws. This bill is about making sure government officials aren’t standing in the way of immigration enforcement and ensuring violent offenders here illegally are held accountable.

Have a good weekend and please let me know how I can help.

Sincerely,

Chris






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State Rep. Chris Swedzinski
2nd Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155
[email protected]
(651) 296-5374







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