Minnesota House of Representatives

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Minnesota House of
Representatives
SLP-Infobox Image-Color.png
General Information
Party control:   Democrat
Session start:   February 12, 2024
Session end:   May 20, 2024
Term length:   2 years
Term limits:   None
Redistricting:  Legislature-dominant
Salary:   $51,750/year
+ per diem
Members
Total:  134
Democrats:  69
Republicans:  64
Other:  0 (independent)
Vacancies:  1
Leadership
Speaker:   Melissa Hortman (D)
Maj. Leader:   Jamie Long (D)
Min. Leader:   Lisa Demuth (R)
Elections
Last election:  November 8, 2022
Next election:  November 5, 2024

The Minnesota House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Minnesota State Legislature. Alongside the Minnesota State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Minnesota state government and works alongside the governor of Minnesota to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Minnesota House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Minnesota House of Representatives meets in the state capitol building in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

  • All 134 seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives were up for election in 2022. The chamber's Democratic majority increased from 69-63 (with one independent and one vacancy) to 70-64.
  • All 134 seats in the state House were up for election in 2020. The chamber's Democratic majority decreased from 75-59 to 70-64.
  • Minnesota has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

  • This page contains the following information on the Minnesota House of Representatives.

    Party control

    Current partisan control

    The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Minnesota House of Representatives as of January 2024:

    Party As of January 2024
         Democratic Party 69
         Republican Party 64
         Independent 0
         Vacancies 1
    Total 134

    Members

    Leadership

    The speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the body. Duties of the speaker include preserving order and decorum, appointing the chief sergeant at arms, and signing all acts, address, joint resolutions, writs, warrants and subpoenas of the House.[1][2]

    Leadership and members


    Office Name Party Date assumed office
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 1A John Burkel Republican January 5, 2021
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 1B Debra Kiel Republican 2011
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 2A Matthew Grossell Republican January 3, 2017
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 2B Matt Bliss Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 3A Roger Skraba Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 3B Natalie Zeleznikar Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 4A Heather Keeler Democratic January 5, 2021
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 4B Jim Joy Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 5A Krista Knudsen Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 5B Mike Wiener Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 6A Ben Davis Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 6B Josh Heintzeman Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 7A Spencer Igo Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 7B Dave Lislegard Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 8A Liz Olson Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 8B Alicia Kozlowski Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 9A Jeff Backer Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 9B Tom Murphy Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 10A Ron Kresha Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 10B Isaac Schultz Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 11A Jeff Dotseth Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 11B Nathan Nelson Republican March 27, 2019
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 12A Paul Anderson Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 12B Mary Franson Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 13A Lisa Demuth Republican January 8, 2019
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 13B Tim O'Driscoll Republican 2011
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 14A Bernie Perryman Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 14B Dan Wolgamott Democratic January 8, 2019
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 15A Chris Swedzinski Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 15B Paul Torkelson Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 16A Dean Urdahl Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 16B Dave Baker Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 17A Dawn Gillman Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 17B Bobbie Harder Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 18A Jeff Brand Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 18B Luke Frederick Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 19A Brian Daniels Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 19B John Petersburg Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 20A Pam Altendorf Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 20B Steven Jacob Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 21A Joe Schomacker Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 21B Marj Fogelman Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 22A Bjorn Olson Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 22B Brian Pfarr Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 23A Peggy Bennett Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 23B Patricia Mueller Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 24A Duane Quam Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 24B Tina Liebling Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 25A Kim Hicks Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 25B Andrew Smith Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 26A Gene Pelowski Jr. Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 26B Greg Davids Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 27A Shane Mekeland Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 27B Kurt Daudt Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 28A Brian Johnson Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 28B Anne Neu Brindley Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 29A Joe McDonald Republican 2011
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 29B Marion O'Neill Republican January 8, 2013
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 30A Walter Hudson Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 30B Paul Novotny Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 31A Harry Niska Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 31B Peggy Scott Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 32A Nolan West Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 32B Matt Norris Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 33A Patti Anderson Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 33B Josiah Hill Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 34A Danny Nadeau Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 34B Melissa Hortman Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 35A Zack Stephenson Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 35B Jerry Newton Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 36A Elliott Engen Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B Brion Curran Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 37A Kristin Robbins Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 37B Kristin Bahner Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 38A Michael Nelson Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 38B Samantha Vang Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 39A Erin Koegel Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 39B Sandra Feist Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 40A Kelly Moller Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 40B Jamie Becker-Finn Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 41A Mark Wiens Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 41B Shane Hudella Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 42A Ned Carroll Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 42B Ginny Klevorn Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 43A Cedrick Frazier Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 43B Mike Freiberg Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 44A Peter Fischer Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 44B Leon Lillie Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 45A Andrew Myers Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 45B Patty Acomb Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 46A Larry Kraft Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 46B Cheryl Youakim Democratic January 6, 2015
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 47A Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 47B Ethan Cha Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A Jim Nash Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 48B Lucille Rehm Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 49A Laurie Pryor Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 49B Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 50A Heather Edelson Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 50B Steve Elkins Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 51A Michael Howard Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 51B Nathan Coulter Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 52A Liz Reyer Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 52B Vacant
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 53A Mary Frances Clardy Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 53B Rick Hansen Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 54A Brad Tabke Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 54B Ben Bakeberg Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 55A Jessica Hanson Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 55B Kaela Berg Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 56A Robert Bierman Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 56B John Huot Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 57A Jon Koznick Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 57B Jeff Witte Republican January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 58A Kristi Pursell Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B Pat Garofalo Republican 2005
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 59A Fue Lee Democratic 2017
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 59B Esther Agbaje Democratic January 5, 2021
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 60A Sydney Jordan Democratic February 5, 2020
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 60B Mohamud Noor Democratic January 8, 2019
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 61A Frank Hornstein Democratic 2003
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 61B Jamie Long Democratic January 8, 2019
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 62A Aisha Gomez Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 62B Hodan Hassan Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 63A Samantha Sencer-Mura Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 63B Emma Greenman Democratic January 5, 2021
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 64A Kaohly Her Democratic January 8, 2019
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 64B Dave Pinto Democratic January 6, 2015
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 65A Samakab Hussein Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 65B Maria Isa Pérez-Vega Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 66A Leigh Finke Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 66B Athena Hollins Democratic January 5, 2021
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 67A Liz Lee Democratic January 3, 2023
    Minnesota House of Representatives District 67B Jay Xiong Democratic January 8, 2019


    Salaries

    See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
    State legislative salaries, 2023
    SalaryPer diem
    $51,750/yearFor senators: $86/day. For representatives: $66/day.

    Swearing in dates

    See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

    Minnesota legislators assume office on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January after the election. When the first Monday in January falls on January 1, legislators assume office on the first Wednesday after the first Monday.[3][4]

    Membership qualifications

    See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

    To be eligible to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives, a candidate must:[5][6]

    • Be eligible to vote in Minnesota
    • Be 21 years of age or more upon assuming office
    • Be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year before the general election
    • Be a resident of the legislative district for at least six months before the general election
    • Have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election
    • Participated in the party's most recent precinct caucuses, or intend to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next general election (if major party candidate)


    must have participated in the party's most recent precinct caucuses, or intend to vote for a majority of the party's candidates at the next general election

    Historical party control

    Democrats won control of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018. In 2022, they won a 70-64 majority.

    The table below shows the partisan history of the Minnesota House following every general election from 1992 to 2020. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

    Minnesota House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022

    Year '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16 '18 '20 '22
    Democrats 87 71 70 63 65 52 66 85 87 62 73 62 57 75 70 70
    Republicans 47 63 64 71 69 82 68 49 47 72 61 72 77 59 64 64

    Trifecta history

    A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Minnesota was under the following types of trifecta control:

    • Democratic trifecta: 2013-2014, 2023
    • Republican trifecta: None
    • Divided government: 1992-2012, 2015-2022

    Minnesota Party Control: 1992-2024
    Four years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
    Governor R R R R R R R I I I I R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
    Senate D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R D D D D R R R R R R D D
    House D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D R R D D R R R R D D D D D D

    Elections

    Elections by year

    Minnesota state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Minnesota holds elections for its legislature in even years.

    2024

    See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2024

    Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is August 13, 2024. The filing deadline is June 4, 2024.

    2022

    See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2022

    Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 9, 2022. The filing deadline was May 31, 2022.

    In the 2022 elections, Republicans gained one seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, but Democrats retained a majority in the chamber.

    Minnesota House of Representatives
    Party As of November 8, 2022 After November 9, 2022
         Democratic Party 69 70
         Republican Party 63 64
         Independent 1 0
         Vacancy 1 0
    Total 134 134

    2020

    See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2020

    Elections for the office of Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was June 2, 2020.

    In the 2020 elections, Republicans gained five seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, but Democrats retained a majority in the chamber.

    Minnesota House of Representatives
    Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
         Democratic Party 75 70
         Republican Party 59 64
    Total 134 134

    2018

    See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2018

    Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2018. The open primary election took place on August 14, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.[7]

    In the 2018 elections, Democrats gained control of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

    Minnesota House of Representatives
    Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
         Democratic Party 56 75
         Republican Party 77 59
         Vacancy 1 0
    Total 134 134

    2016

    See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2016

    Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016. All 134 seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.

    Heading into the election, Republicans held a 73-61 majority. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 76-57 majority with one vacancy.

    Minnesota House of Representatives
    Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
         Democratic Party 61 57
         Republican Party 73 76
         Vacancy 0 1
    Total 134 134

    Vacancies

    See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

    Vacancies in the Minnesota State Legislature are filled through election. If there are more than 150 days before the next state general election, and the legislature will not be in session before the results are canvassed, then any vacancy is filled at the next state general election.[14][15]

    If the vacancy happens during the legislative session, the governor has five days to issue a writ calling for a special election. The election must take place no more than 35 days after the issuance of the writ. If the legislature is out of session and there are fewer than 150 days before the next state general election, the governor must call for a special election so the winner of the election can take office when the legislature reconvenes.[15][16]

    DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Minnesota Cons. Art. 4, § 4 and Minnesota Stat. § 204D.19

    District map

    See also: Minnesota state legislative districts

    The state of Minnesota has 201 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 67 districts and the state House has 134 districts.

    Use the interactive map below to find your district.



    Redistricting

    See also: Redistricting in Minnesota

    In Minnesota, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Minnesota State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[17]

    The Minnesota Constitution requires "that state Senate districts be contiguous, and that Representative districts be nested within Senate districts." State statutes apply contiguity requirements to all congressional and state legislative districts. Furthermore, state statutes stipulate that political subdivisions should not be divided "more than necessary."[17]

    2020

    See also: Redistricting in Minnesota after the 2020 census

    Minnesota enacted new legislative district boundaries on February 15, 2022, when a special judicial redistricting panel issued an order adopting final maps. Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea established the five-judge special redistricting panel in June 2021 to hear legal challenges regarding redistricting and adopt maps should the legislature not agree on them. The panel consisted of two state court of appeals justices and three state district court judges. Republican governors originally appointed two of the five justices, Democratic governors originally appointed two, and former Gov. Jesse Ventura (Reform) originally appointed one justice.

    District map after 2020 redistricting

    This map took effect for Minnesota’s 2022 congressional elections.

    Minnesota legislative map Feb 15 2022.jpg

    2010

    See also: Redistricting in Minnesota after the 2010 census

    Minnesota received its local census data on March 16, 2011. The state's population increased 7.8 percent, despite four of the five most populated cities showing slight decreases in population; only Rochester (pop. 106,769, up 24.4 percent) showed growth.[18]

    At the time of redistricting, Republicans controlled the Legislature, and Democrats the governorship. Governor Mark Dayton (D) vetoed the legislative plan on May 19, 2011. In June 2011, a panel created by the Minnesota Supreme Court took over the process before the Legislature's February 2012 deadline. On February 21, 2012, the panel released a final map, pairing 16 incumbents in the Senate.

    Sessions

    Legislation

    The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Minnesota House of Representatives has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

    Dates of legislative sessions in Minnesota by year

    2024

    See also: 2024 Minnesota legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

    In 2024, the legislature is scheduled to convene on February 12, 2024, and adjourn on May 20, 2024.

    2023

    See also: 2023 Minnesota legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

    In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2023, and adjourn on May 22, 2023.



    About legislative sessions in Minnesota

    The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[36] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

    Article IV of the Minnesota Constitution establishes when the Minnesota State Legislature, of which the House is a part, is to be in session. Section 12 of Article IV states that the Legislature is not to meet in regular session for more than 120 legislative days in each two-year period between legislative elections. Section 12 also does not allow the Legislature to meet in regular session after the first Monday following the third Saturday in May of any year. Within these limits, Section 12 allows the Legislature to decide its meeting dates by law.[37]

    As such, MN Statute 3.011 establishes that in odd-numbered years the legislature must convene on the first Monday in January, unless that lands on January 1, in which case the legislature must convene by the first Wednesday after the first Monday. The legislature is required to set its own date for even-numbered years.

    Section 12 of Article IV states that the Governor of Minnesota can call special sessions of the Legislature on extraordinary occasions.[37]

    Legislative roles and procedures

    Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

    Veto overrides

    Veto Override Graphic-No party.png

    See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

    State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Minnesota are listed below.

    How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

    Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 90 of the 134 members in the Minnesota House of Representatives and 45 of the 67 members in the Minnesota State Senate. Minnesota is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

    Authority: Article IV, Section 23 of the Minnesota Constitution.

    "Every bill passed in conformity to the rules of each house and the joint rules of the two houses shall be presented to the governor. If he approves a bill, he shall sign it, deposit it in the office of the secretary of state and notify the house in which it originated of that fact. If he vetoes a bill, he shall return it with his objections to the house in which it originated. His objections shall be entered in the journal. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds of that house agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the governor's objections, to the other house, which shall likewise reconsider it. If approved by two-thirds of that house it becomes a law and shall be deposited in the office of the secretary of state."

    Role in state budget

    See also: Minnesota state budget and finances
    Minnesota on Public Policy Logo-one line-on Ballotpedia.png
    Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
    BudgetsCivil libertiesEducationElectionsEnergyEnvironmentHealthcarePensions

    The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[38]

    1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies between May and June of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
    2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by October 15.
    3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature on the fourth Tuesday in January. This deadline is extended to the third Tuesday in February for a newly elected governor.
    4. The legislature typically adopts a budget in May. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium begins on July 1 of even-numbered years.

    Minnesota is one of 43 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[38]

    The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[38]

    Committees

    See also: List of committees in Minnesota state government

    Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

    • Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
    • Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
    • Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

    Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Minnesota House of Representatives has 33 standing committees:


    Constitutional amendments

    In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

    The methods in which the Minnesota Constitution can be amended:

    See also: Article IX of the Minnesota Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Minnesota

    The Minnesota Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution— a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Ratification of amendments proposed by a convention require a 60% supermajority of those voting on the amendment question, while an amendment proposed by the legislature requires a simple majority (50%+1) of those voting in the election.[39]

    Legislature

    See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

    A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Minnesota State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 68 votes in the Minnesota House of Representatives and 34 votes in the Minnesota State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

    Ratifying an amendment requires a 'Yes' vote from a simple majority of all voters casting a ballot in the election, rather than a simple majority of those voting on the question.

    Convention

    See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

    According to Section 3 of Article IX of the Minnesota Constitution, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber during one legislative session is required to send a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote by the electorate is required to call the convention. Any proposed amendments approved by the convention require a 60% vote of the electorate to be ratified.



    Historical context:

    See also: List of Minnesota ballot measures

    In Minnesota, a total of 10 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1996 and 2022. Eight ballot measures were approved, and tw ballot measures were defeated.

    Minnesota statewide ballot measures, 1996-2022
    Total number Annual average Annual minimum Annual maximum Approved Defeated
    # % # %
    10
    0.8
    0
    3
    8
    80.0
    2
    20.0

    2025 measures:

    See also: 2025 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

    No measures to list


    Potential:

    The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.

    No measures to list

    2024 measures:

    Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.

    See also: Minnesota 2024 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
    Minnesota Continue to Provide Lottery Revenue to Environment and Natural Resources Fund AmendmentDemocratsRepublicans
    Senate:Required: 34Yes votes: 36 (53.73%)No votes: 29 (43.28%)Yes: 34; No: 0Yes: 2; No: 29
    House:Required: 68Yes votes: 89 (66.41%)No votes: 41 (30.60%)Yes: 69; No: 0Yes: 20; No: 41


    Potential:

    The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.
    Minnesota Equal Under the Law AmendmentDemocratsRepublicans
    Senate:Required: Yes votes: 43 (64.2%)No votes: 23 (34.3%)Yes: 34; No: 0Yes: 9; No: 23
    House:Required: Yes votes: (%)No votes: (%)Yes: ; No: Yes: ; No:

    See also

    Elections Minnesota State Government State Legislatures State Politics
    Ballotpedia Elections Badge-VOTE-no shadow-Square.jpg
    Minnesota State Flag-Close Up.jpg
    State Houses-Tile image.png
    State Courts-Tile image.png

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. Minnesota House of Representatives, "Rules of the Minnesota House of Representatives - Article VII - Officers of the House," accessed February 12, 2021 (Referenced Rule 7.01)
    2. Minnesota House of Representatives, "Leadership of the Minnesota House of Representatives," accessed February 12, 2021
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