Minnesota Agencies

Oversee legislative audit function, strengthen legislative oversight, promote good management, enhance program effectiveness and improve accountability.

The Office of the Legislative Auditor was created in 1973 following the recommendation of a private-sector study group called the Loaned Executive Action Program (LEAP). Between 1878 and 1973, state agencies and local governments were audited by the Public Examiner, an appointee of the Governor. LEAP argued that this arrangement did not provide for a true independent, or "arms-length", examination of the executive branch. LEAP recommended creation of an office in the legislative branch comparable to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a non-partisan Congressional watchdog at the national level.

Initially, Minnesota's Office of the Legislative Auditor conducted only financial audits of state agencies. In 1975, its duties were expanded when a Program Evaluation Division was created within the office to examine the management and impact of state-funded programs (Laws of Minnesota 1975, chapter 204, section 90). In 1994, the Program Evaluation Division was directed by law to also conduct best practice reviews of local government functions. This responsibility was shifted to the State Auditor in 2004. The State Auditor is also responsible for auditing local governments.

Long-serving Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles retired October 6, 2021. Joel Alter served as Interim Legislative Auditor until the Legislative Audit Commission selected a new Legislative Auditor. Deputy Legislative Auditor Judy Randall  was appointed to head the Office of Legislative Auditor in November 2021. 

Legislative Auditor: Robert Whitaker (1973-1977); Eldon Stoehr (1977- November 1981); Gerald W. Christenson (November 1981 - May 1983); James Nobles, (November 1983 - October 6, 2021); Joel Alter, Interim Legislative Auditor (October 7, 2021 - November 2021); Judy Randall (November 2021 -  )

Deputy Legislative Auditor for Program Evaluation Division: Bruce Spitz (1977-1978); James Nobles (1978-1983); Roger A. Brooks (1984-2003); Judy Randall (2015-2022); Jodi Munson Rodríguez (December 6, 2022 - ).

[Note: From 2003 to 2015 James Nobles served as both the Legislative Auditor and the Deputy Legislative Auditor for Program Evaluation Division (see Legislative Audit Commission minutes, June 8, 2015).]

Deputy Legislative Auditor for Financial Audit Division: John Asmussen (1982-1997); Claudia Gudvangen (January 1998 - January 2006); Cecile Ferkul (February 2006 - September 2017); Chris Buse (November 2017 - April 2020); Lori Leysen (November 2020 - )