Minnesota Legislature

Minnesota Legislature
Ross Bruggink, modified by the Minnesota State Emblem Redesign Commission · Public domain · source
Name	Minnesota Legislature
House type	Bicameral
Houses	Minnesota Senate, Minnesota House of Representatives
Leader1 type	Senate President
Leader1	Bobby Joe Champion
Party1	(DFL)
Election1	2023
Leader2 type	House Speaker
Leader2	Melissa Hortman
Party2	(DFL)
Election2	2019
Leader3 type	Senate Majority Leader
Leader3	Kari Dziedzic
Party3	(DFL)
Election3	2023
Leader4 type	House Majority Leader
Leader4	Jamie Long
Party4	(DFL)
Election4	2023
Members	201, (67 Senators, 134 Representatives)
Political groups1	Majority (34), DFL (34), Minority (33), Republican (33)
Political groups2	Majority (70), DFL (70), Minority (64), Republican (64)
Last election1	November 8, 2022
Next election1	November 5, 2024
Last election2	November 8, 2022
Next election2	November 5, 2024
Meeting place	Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Website	https://www.leg.mn.gov

Minnesota Legislature. The Minnesota Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Minnesota, operating as a bicameral body composed of the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives. It convenes at the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and its members are elected from districts defined by the Minnesota Supreme Court following each United States Census. The legislature is responsible for enacting laws, approving the state budget proposed by the Governor of Minnesota, and providing oversight of the state's executive branch.

History

The first territorial legislature convened in Saint Paul in 1849 after the creation of the Minnesota Territory by the United States Congress. Following statehood in 1858, the legislature operated under the original Minnesota Constitution, with early sessions grappling with issues like American Civil War financing and relations with Dakota and Ojibwe nations. Significant historical actions include the establishment of the University of Minnesota system and the creation of the Minnesota National Guard. The legislature underwent a major restructuring with the adoption of the 1974 Minnesota Constitution, which instituted annual sessions. Notable political shifts include the rise of the DFL and periods of divided control with the Republican Party of Minnesota.

Structure and composition

The legislature consists of two chambers: the 67-member Minnesota Senate and the 134-member Minnesota House of Representatives. Senators serve four-year terms, while Representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats subject to election in even-numbered years. Legislative districts are single-member and are reapportioned every decade by a panel of judges, as stipulated in the Minnesota Constitution, following the landmark case Baker v. Carr. The current partisan composition, following the 2022 elections, gives the DFL a one-seat majority in the Minnesota Senate and a six-seat majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Powers and duties

As defined by Article IV of the state constitution, the legislature holds the sole power to enact statutes, known as Minnesota Statutes. It holds the "power of the purse," responsible for passing the state's biennial budget and all tax legislation. The body also has investigative powers, can propose constitutional amendments for voter ratification, and holds the authority to impeach executive and judicial officers, with trials conducted by the Minnesota Senate. Other duties include confirming gubernatorial appointments and exercising oversight over agencies like the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Legislative process

A bill may be introduced in either chamber by a member. It is then referred to a subject-matter committee for hearings, possible amendment, and a vote. If passed by committee, it proceeds to the floor of the originating chamber for debate and a vote. Upon passage, it moves to the second chamber, where the process repeats. If the second chamber amends the bill, a Conference committee with members from both the Minnesota Senate and Minnesota House of Representatives may be formed to reconcile differences. The final, identical version must pass both chambers before being presented to the Governor of Minnesota for signature or veto.

Leadership and committees

The presiding officer of the Minnesota Senate is the President of the Minnesota Senate, an office held by Bobby Joe Champion. The chief executive officer of the Minnesota House of Representatives is the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Melissa Hortman. The majority party in each chamber elects a Majority leader (Kari Dziedzic in the Senate, Jamie Long in the House) to manage the legislative calendar, while the minority party elects a Minority leader. Substantive work is conducted in standing committees such as the Senate Finance Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, and the Judiciary Committee, each chaired by a member of the majority party.

Current session and recent activity

The 93rd legislature, elected in 2022, began its biennial session in January 2023. With full DFL control of the legislature and the office of Governor Tim Walz, the 2023 session passed a significant volume of legislation, including a historic $72 billion biennial budget, major investments in education and childcare, and laws establishing paid family and medical leave. Notable legislation from recent sessions includes the 2020 Minnesota Police Accountability Act and the 2023 legal in the United States of the United States of the United States of America|Governor, Minnesota|Governor, and