Inver Grove Heights Legislator Takes On Electronic Fraud

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Since 2007, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety has reported 90,000 new cases of electronic fraud or identity theft in Minnesota, District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL) said.

Which is all the motivation the legislator needed to author a new bill, HF343, designed to enhance the state's enforcement capabilities against electronic fraud. If approved, the bill would expand the powers of the Department of Public Safety's Alcohol and Gambling Division — renaming it the Alcohol, Gambling and Electronic Fraud Enforcement Division and giving it the power to use administrative subpoenas to obtain e-mail or cell phone account data.

The proposed bill would also require people using electronic money wiring services to present a government-issued identification to collect the funds wired to them. Money wire services are one of defrauders' favorite tools, allowing them to quickly and anonymously receive cash from their targets, Atkins said.

Electronic fraud cases, he added, are traditionally difficult to investigate, because they frequently cross state or even international lines.

On a nuclear note, Atkins voted in favor of a bill that lifts a two-decade moratorium on nuclear power plant construction. The bill passed through the House's Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee, of which Atkins is a member, and is expected to go to the floor for a general vote on Thursday, Atkins said. A similar bill has already passed in the Minnesota Senate.

While he is favor of renewing the discussion around nuclear energy, Atkins supports several amendments to the bill, including an amendment giving local residents living near the site of a proposed nuclear plant the power to vote whether to allow its construction.

“It is more important to do this right than to do it fast,” Atkins wrote in a press release.

District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen also has his hands full. The veteran legislator is listed as the chief author of a bonding request that would appropriate $240,000 in state funding for  Heritage Park in Inver Grove Heights.

If approved, the money would be earmarked for the rehabilitation of several city-owned, historic buildings that may be moved to the park. The money, however, wouldn't be given to the city until the state has determined there is enough non-state funding committed to the development of Heritage Park to complete the project. The bill was referred to the Capital Investment Committee.

Sen. Jim Metzen

Existing legislation:

—A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects was referred to the Capital Investment Committee. This is the companion bill to HF74. SF49 introduced Jan. 18

—A bill co-sponsored by Metzen providing $1 million to the city of South St. Paul to replace a pumping station on the floodwall was referred to the Capital Investment Committee. SF145, introduced Jan.27.

— A bill supporting job creation and offering business tax reductions that is co-sponsored by Metzen was referred to the Jobs and Economic Growth Committee. SF1, introduced Jan. 10.

Rep. Joe Atkins

Existing Legislation:

—A bill co-signed by Atkins that extends the moratorium on the construction of radiation treatment facilities in the metro area has been referred to the Health and Human Services Reform Committee. HF383, introduced on Feb. 7.

—A bill co-sponsored by Atkins that creates an early graduation achievement scholarship program and appropriates money for the program awaits discussion in the Education Finance Committee. HF257, introduced on Jan. 27.

—A bill criminalizing synthetic cannabinoids that Atkins co-signed had a second reading on the House of Representatives floor on Feb. 7. HF57, introduced on Jan. 10.