Rep. Andrew Myers’ Bill to Strengthen Fraud Accountability Passes House

St. Paul – Today, legislation authored by Rep. Andrew Myers (R–Tonka Bay) to strengthen Minnesota’s ability to prosecute fraud and protect taxpayer dollars passed the Minnesota House.

House File 4425 extends the statute of limitations for crimes involving theft of public funds, including medical assistance fraud, from six years to ten years. The change reflects the growing complexity of fraud schemes and gives law enforcement the time needed to fully investigate and prosecute bad actors.

“Fraud isn’t always discovered right away, and in many cases, it takes years to uncover the full scope of what’s happened,” said Rep. Myers. “HF 4425 makes sure that criminals can’t run out the clock while investigators are still doing their work. If you steal from taxpayers, you should be held accountable, no matter how long it takes to uncover the truth.”

“My concern is not just the fraud itself, but what it’s doing to our communities,” Myers added. “Minnesota’s fraud epidemic has devastating consequences. It contributes to higher property taxes, service disruptions, and cuts that impact families. We’ve seen strain on critical services like childcare, disability support, and food shelves while taxpayer dollars are being stolen. Frankly, that should anger everyone. These are programs and services Minnesotans choose to fund because they care about their neighbors.”

The bill targets fraud involving public dollars and ensures that those who abuse government programs cannot evade consequences simply due to time constraints. By extending the prosecution window, the legislation strengthens accountability and helps safeguard resources intended for Minnesotans who rely on these programs.

HF 4425 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.