Minnesota House of Representatives
General Information
Party control:	Split
Session start:	January 14, 2025
Session end:	May 19, 2025
Term length:	2 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$51,750/year + per diem
Members
Total:	134
Democrats:	65
Republicans:	67
Other:	0 (independent)
Vacancies:	2
Leadership
Speaker:	Lisa Demuth (R)
Maj. Leader:	Harry Niska (R)
Min. Leader:	Zack Stephenson (D)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

TheMinnesota House of Representatives is thelower chamber of theMinnesota State Legislature. Alongside theMinnesota State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Minnesota state government and works alongside thegovernor 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 inSaint Paul, Minnesota.

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

• Which partycontrols the chamber
• The chamber'scurrent membership
• Partisan control of the chamberover time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• Adistrict map
• Howredistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list ofcommittees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Minnesota House of Representatives as of November 2025:

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.^[2][3]

Leadership and members

• House speaker:Lisa Demuth (R)
• Majority leader:Harry Niska (R)
• Minority leader:Zack Stephenson (D)

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

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

Minnesota legislators assume office on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in January after the election.^[5][6]

Membership qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives, a candidate must:^[7]

• 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)

Historical party control

As a result of the2024 elections, Republicans began the 2025 legislative session with a 67-66 majority, with a special election to fill a vacancy scheduled for January 28.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Minnesota House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Trifecta history

Astate 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

Elections

Elections by year

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

2026

See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for theMinnesota House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026.

2024

See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for theMinnesota House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasAugust 13, 2024. The filing deadline wasJune 4, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Republicans won three seats in the chamber, earning a 67-66 majority with one vacancy.

2022

See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for theMinnesota 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.

2020

See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofMinnesota 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.

2018

See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for theMinnesota House of Representatives took place in 2018. Theopen primary election took place on August 14, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasJune 5, 2018.^[8]

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

2016

See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for theMinnesota 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. All134 seats in theMinnesota 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.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2014 Elections for theMinnesota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 12, 2014, and a general election took place onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 73-61 majority. Democrats lost 11 seats in the election, giving Republicans a 72-62 majority. Minnesota House of Representatives Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 73 62      Republican Party 61 72 Total 134 134 2012 See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 14, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2012. All134 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 72-61 majority with one vacancy. Republicans lost 11 seats in the election, giving Democrats a 73-61 majority. Minnesota House of Representatives Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 61 73      Republican Party 72 61      Vacancy 1 0 Total 134 134 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Minnesota House of Representatives District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 8B Mary Franson 0.1% 21,269 Bob Cunniff District 56B Will Morgan 0.8% 21,200 Roz Peterson District 48A Yvonne Selcer 0.8% 24,714 Kirk Stensrud District 12A Jay McNamar 1.2% 21,234 Scott Dutcher District 10B Joe Radinovich 1.5% 21,851 Dale Lueck District 32B Bob Barrett 1.9% 20,895 Rick Olseen District 2B Steve Green 2% 19,135 Brita Sailer District 36A Mark Uglem 2.2% 20,926 Grace Baltich District 44A Sarah Anderson 2.6% 23,620 Audrey Britton District 11B Tim Faust 2.7% 18,304 Ben Wiener 2010 See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 10, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 20, 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held an 87-47 majority. Democrats lost 25 seats in the election, giving Republicans a 72-62 majority. Minnesota House of Representatives Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 87 62      Republican Party 47 72 Total 134 134 In 2010, the candidates for state House raised a total of $6,377,405 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[9] 2010 Donors, Minnesota House of Representatives Donor Amount Public Fund $819,089 Public Fund $414,924 Minnesota Telecom Alliance $29,400 Education Minnesota $25,650 Minnesota Dental Association $13,850 House Republican Campaign Cmte of Minnesota $13,473 54th Senate District Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party $13,200 Thorson, Mark $12,850 Freedom Club State PAC $12,500 39th Senate District Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party $12,350 2008 See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Minnesota House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 9, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $8,361,168. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2008 Donors, Minnesota House of Representatives Donor Amount Public Fund $1,585,947 Huizenga, Donald $35,000 Education Minnesota $29,350 Afscme Minnesota Council 5 $29,300 Operating Engineers Local 49 $22,650 Minnesota Telecommunication Alliance $19,125 39Th Senate District Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party $17,683 Minnesota Dental Association $15,736 Minnesota Nurses Association $15,700 Minneapolis Fire Fighters Relief Association $15,700 2006 See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Minnesota House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 12, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $7,533,257. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2006 Donors, Minnesota House of Representatives Donor Amount Public Fund $1,516,485 Dittrich, Denise $70,153 Education Minnesota $39,575 Minnesota AFL-CIO $23,800 Small Independent Telephone Companies $23,000 Minnesota Dental Association $18,675 St Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association $16,000 House Republican Campaign Cmte Of Minnesota $15,764 Olmsted County Democrat-Farmer-Labor $15,224 Gehan, John $14,936 2004 See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Minnesota House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 14, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $8,114,613. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2004 Donors, Minnesota House of Representatives Donor Amount Public Fund $1,714,929 Dittrich, Denise $98,614 Unknown $34,244 Education Minnesota $33,400 Minnesota AFL-CIO $23,479 House Republican Campaign Cmte Of Minnesota $21,176 Small Independent Telephone Companies $20,050 Minnesota Dental Association $19,350 Simon, Steve $19,000 Friends Of Democrat-Farmer-Labor Women $18,800 2002 See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Minnesota House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 10, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $6,574,022. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2002 Donors, Minnesota House of Representatives Donor Amount Public Fund $1,246,702 Education Minnesota $32,900 Minnesota AFSCME $30,800 Minnesota AFL-CIO $27,600 Minnesota Association Of Realtors $21,500 House Republican Campaign Cmte Of Minnesota $19,764 Jobs Political Fund $19,500 Minnesota Dental Association $17,200 Minnesota Womens Campaign Fund $15,500 Mah Mah Wi No Min $14,250 2000 See also:Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Minnesota House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 12, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total of contributions to House candidates was $6,590,160. The top 10 contributors were:[14] 2000 Donors, Minnesota House of Representatives Donor Amount Public Fund $1,489,502 House Republican Campaign Cmte Of Minnesota $79,100 Minnesota AFL-CIO $35,675 Minnesota AFSCME $34,550 Education Minnesota $27,746 Minnesota Republican Party $21,700 Lakes & Plains Regional Council Of Carpenters & Joiners $21,000 Minnesota Dental Association $20,800 Minnesota Democrat-Farmer-Labor Party $18,782 Minnesota Association Of Realtors $18,050

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

Vacancies in theMinnesota 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.^[15][16]

If the vacancy happens during the legislative session, thegovernor 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.^[16][17]

See sources:Minnesota Cons. Art. 4, § 4 andMinnesota 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 theMinnesota State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by thegovernor.^[18]

TheMinnesota 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."^[18]

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 JusticeLorie 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.

On June 2, 2022, Gov.Tim Walz (D) signed legislation containing adjustments to Senate Districts 15 and 16 as well as to House Districts 15, 16, and 58.^[19] The changes were effective for the2022 elections. On May 24, 2023, Walz signed a state budget bill that included modifications to Senate Districts 9, 12, 17, and 24.^[20][21][22] The changes were effective for the2024 elections.

District map after 2020 redistricting

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

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.^[23]

At the time of redistricting, Republicans controlled the Legislature, and Democrats the governorship. GovernorMark 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 byBillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Minnesota by year

2025

See also:2025 Minnesota legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2025, and adjourn on May 19, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Minnesota legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 12, 2024, and adjourn on May 20, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Minnesota legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2023, and adjourn on May 22, 2023. 2022 See also:2022 Minnesota legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 31, 2022, and adjourn on May 23, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Minnesota legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2021, and adjourn on May 17, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Minnesota legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 11, 2020, and adjourn on May 17, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. TheMinnesota State Legislature suspended some legislative activity, effective March 17, 2020, through April 7, 2020. Under the suspension, floor sessions and committee hearings were called only "when legislative leaders have agreed-upon legislation that needs to be acted upon." The legislature adjourned on May 17, 2020. A special session convened on June 12, 2020. The special session adjourned on June 19, 2020. Another special session convened on July 13, 2020, and adjourned on July 21, 2020. A third special session convened on August 12, 2020, and adjourned the same day.[24][25] 2019 See also:2019 Minnesota legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through May 20, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Minnesota legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from February 20, 2018, through May 21, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2017, through May 22, 2017. The legislature held a special session from May 23 to May 26. Click [show] to read aboutMinnesota Legislature v. Dayton. See also:Minnesota Legislature v. Dayton In 2017, Gov. Mark Dayton (D) was involved in a conflict with the majority-RepublicanMinnesota State Legislature over the state's budget for the upcoming two years. With the threat of a July 1, 2017, shutdown looming, the legislature crafted a series of 10 budget bills that would lay out a $46 billion budget for the state.[26][27] Dayton signed the bills on May 30, 2017, but utilized his line-item veto power to eliminate all measures that would have funded the state legislature. Dayton said the veto was in response to a provision that would have tied funding for the state's Department of Revenue to the governor's signature on a $650 million tax cut which he has previously opposed. Dayton called the provision "last-minute legislative treachery" and offered to restore the legislature's funding in exchange for a series of budgetary concessions. House SpeakerKurt Daudt (R) promised a legal challenge to the governor's veto.[27] On July 19, 2017, JudgeJohn H. Guthmann ruled in favor of the legislature, finding that Dayton's veto was in violation of the state constitution's separation of powers clause because it prevented the legislature from functioning. Guthmann specified that, "The court’s ruling is by no means intended to prevent governors from issuing a line-item veto of the Legislature’s appropriation if they actually object to the manner in which the Legislature funded itself...No such concern exists in this case because the Governor concedes his vetoes had nothing to do with the Legislature’s appropriation."[28] Dayton appealed the decision, which brought the case before theMinnesota Supreme Court.[29] Oral arguments were heard by the Supreme Court on August 28, 2017.[30] The court issued its ruling on September 8, 2017, overturning the lower court's decision by ruling that Dayton had acted within his constitutional authority. The ruling also halted the temporary legislative funding ordered by JudgeGuthmann, arguing that Minnesota law does not permit courts to authorize funding. On February 22, 2018, the state legislature approved a new budget bill that restored its funding, which Dayton signed on February 26.[31][32] 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from March 8 through May 23. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 6 through May 18. Major issues in 2015 Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included how to manage a $1 billion surplus, a possible gasoline tax increase, road and bridge maintenance, education funding, and the state health care exchange.[33] 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from February 25 to May 19. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included passing a bonding bill, how to use a projected $800 million surplus, heating costs, the minimum wage, and bullying.[34][35] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to May 20. Major issues in 2013 Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included a tax bill, establishing a health care exchange, same-sex marriage, education funding, regulation of firearm ownership, and oil fracking.[36] Tax increase A bill designed to generate $2.1 billion in new revenue passed theSenate 36-30 and theHouse 69-65 on May 20, 2013.Governor Mark Dayton (D) signed the tax bill into law on May 23, 2013. This legislation sponsored bySenator Rod Skoe (D) andRepresentative Ann Lenczewski (D) increased cigarette taxes by $1.60 per pack and created a higher income tax rate for upper-income earners. The bill created a tax rate of 9.85 percent for individuals earning $150,000 per year and couples earning $250,000 per year. Increased revenue was intended to fund an expansion of the Mayo Clinic, assist in building a new football stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, and fill a $627 million budget deficit.[37][38] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 24 to May 10. 2011 In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 4 to May 23. Session highlights Government shutdown Minnesota's 2011 legislative session was marked by a 20-day government shutdown that saw state parks and highway rest stops shuttered, 22,000 state employees laid off, road construction projects stopped, and even an inability for beer vendors to restock their product due to expired state licenses.[39] The shutdown, Minnesota's second in six years, resulted afterDemocraticGovernorMark Dayton and theRepublican-controlled legislature failed to agree on a budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal biennium. Dayton said he wanted to create $1.8 billion in new revenues in the form of new taxes on the state's high earners, while Republicans said the state's $5 billion budget deficit should be made up solely through spending cuts. As a result, with the exception of some critical services, Minnesota's government officially shut down when the previous fiscal year's budget expired on July 1. Ultimately,the conflict endedin compromise. In an agreement signed on July 20, Dayton agreed to give up his request for tax increases, while Republicans agreed to $1.4 billion more in spending than they wanted. A significant portion of the deficit was funded by borrowing or withholding aid payments to school districts. During the shutdown, a minor controversy surrounded 138 legislators who continued to accept pay during the shutdown after 62 of their colleagues andGovernorMark Dayton refused to do so. Ultimately, 65 percent ofDemocrats and 72 percent ofRepublicans chose to receive their pay.[40] 2010 In 2010, the legislature was in session from February 4 to March 17.

About legislative sessions in Minnesota

TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[41] 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 theMinnesota 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.^[42]

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 theGovernor of Minnesota can call special sessions of the Legislature on extraordinary occasions.^[42]

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 includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget,procedures for filling membership vacancies, andredistricting.

Veto overrides

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.

Authority:Article IV, Section 23 of theMinnesota Constitution.

Role in state budget

See also:Minnesota state budget and finances

Minnesotaon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[43]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies betweenMay and June of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor byOctober 15.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature on thefourth Tuesday in January. This deadline is extended to thethird Tuesday in February for a newly elected governor.
4. The legislature typically adopts a budget inMay. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium begins onJuly 1 of odd-numbered years.^[44]

Minnesota is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[43][45]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.^[43]

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 26 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 forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Minnesota Constitution can be amended:

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

TheMinnesota 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 thosevoting on the amendment question, while an amendment proposed by the legislature requires a simple majority (50%+1) of thosevoting in the election.^[46]

Legislature

See also:Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for theMinnesota State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 68 votes in theMinnesota House of Representatives and 34 votes in theMinnesota 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 toSection 3 of Article IX of theMinnesota Constitution, atwo-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.

See also

Elections	Minnesota State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2024 Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2022 Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2020 Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2018	Minnesota State Legislature Minnesota State Senate Governor of Minnesota Minnesota Supreme Court	State legislative elections:2024,2023,2022,2021,2020,2019, and2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Minnesota State Legislature
• Minnesota State Senate
• Minnesota House of Representatives

Footnotes

v • e State legislatures Legislatures Alabama (H,S) ·Alaska (H,S) ·Arizona (H,S) ·Arkansas (H,S) ·California (A,S) ·Colorado (H,S) ·Connecticut (H,S) ·Delaware (H,S) ·Florida (H,S) ·Georgia (H,S) ·Hawaii (H,S) ·Idaho (H,S) ·Illinois (H,S) ·Indiana (H,S) ·Iowa (H,S) ·Kansas (H,S) ·Kentucky (H,S) ·Louisiana (H,S) ·Maine (H,S) ·Maryland (H,S) ·Massachusetts (H,S) ·Michigan (H,S) ·Minnesota (H,S) ·Mississippi (H,S) ·Missouri (H,S) ·Montana (H,S) ·Nebraska ·Nevada (A,S) ·New Hampshire (H,S) ·New Jersey (GA,S) ·New Mexico (H,S) ·New York (A,S) ·North Carolina (H,S) ·North Dakota (H,S) ·Ohio (H,S) ·Oklahoma (H,S) ·Oregon (H,S) ·Pennsylvania (H,S) ·Rhode Island (H,S) ·South Carolina (H,S) ·South Dakota (H,S) ·Tennessee (H,S) ·Texas (H,S) ·Utah (H,S) ·Vermont (H,S) ·Virginia (H,S) ·Washington (H,S) ·West Virginia (H,S) ·Wisconsin (A,S) ·Wyoming (H,S) 2026 State legislative elections (2026) •State legislative special elections (2026) • Primary dates and filing requirements •2026 Session Dates 2025 State legislative elections (2025) •State legislative special elections (2025) •Primary dates and filing requirements •2025 Session Dates 2024 State legislative elections (2024) •State legislative special elections (2024) •Primary dates and filing requirements •2024 Session Dates 2023 State legislative elections (2023) •State legislative special elections (2023) •Primary dates and filing requirements •2023 Session Dates Historical elections 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 •2018 •2017 •2016 •2015 •2014 •2013 •2012 •2011 •2010 •2009 •2008 •2007 •2006 •2005 •2004 •2003 •2002 •2001 •2000 Features of state legislatures How vacancies are filled in state legislatures •States with a full-time legislature •State legislatures with term limits •Comparison of state legislative salaries •When state legislators assume office after a general election •Population represented by state legislators •State constitutional articles governing state legislatures •State legislative sessions •Resign-to-run law •State legislature candidate requirements by state •Official names of state legislatures •State legislative chambers that use multi-member districts •Factors Affecting Competitiveness in State Legislative Elections State senates Length of terms of state senators •State senators •Partisan composition of state senates •State senators sorted by year first elected State houses Length of terms of state representatives •State representatives •Partisan composition of state houses •State representatives sorted by year first elected Leadership positions President of the Senate •President Pro Tempore •Senate Majority Leader •Senate Minority Leader •House Majority Leader •House Minority Leader •State Speaker of the House

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