Minnesota State Legislature
| Minnesota State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | February 17, 2026 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Website |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Bobby Joe Champion (D) |
| House Speaker: | Lisa Demuth (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate:Erin Murphy (D) House:Harry Niska (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate:Mark Johnson (R) House:Jamie Long (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 67 (Senate), 134 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate),2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art IV, Minnesota Constitution |
| Salary: | $51,750/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Redistricting: | Minnesota Legislature subcommittee has control |
TheMinnesota Legislature is thestate legislature ofMinnesota. It is abicameral legislature, consisting of the lowerMinnesota House of Representatives and theMinnesota State Senate.
The Legislature is located at the Minnesota Capitol in Saint Paul.
Minnesota has a divided government where neither party holds atrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and the upper chamber of the state legislature. Control of the lower chamber of the state legislature is split between parties.
Senate
The Minnesota Senate is the upper house in the Minnesota Legislature. There are 67 members. Each Senate district in the state includes an A and B House district (e.g. Senate district 32 contains House districts 32A and 32B). TheMinnesota Constitution forbids a House district to divide a Senate district. Before the 1960s, Senators were apportioned by county, resulting in the underrepresentation of those in cities. From statehood through 1972, the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota served as President of the Senate. In 1972, the voters approved aconstitutional amendment that provided for the senate to elect the president from among its members effective January 1973.
Members are usually elected to four year terms except when districts are redrawn after the census, when they are elected to a two year term.
As of the 2020 Census, Minnesota state senators represented an average of85,220 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented79,327 residents.
| As of February 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Members | |
| Democratic | 34 | |
| Republican | 33 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 67 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won a 34-33 majority in the Minnesota State Senate in2022, gaining control of the chamber for the first time since 2012.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Minnesota Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. 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.
Minnesota State Senate election results: 1992-2022
| Party | 92 | 96 | 00 | 02 | 06 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 45 | 42 | 39 | 35 | 44 | 30 | 39 | 33 | 31 | 34 |
| Republicans | 22 | 25 | 27 | 31 | 23 | 37 | 28 | 34 | 34 | 33 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
House of Representatives
The Minnesota House of Representatives is thelower house in the Minnesota State Legislature. There are 134 members elected to two-year terms, twice the number of members in the Minnesota Senate.
As of the 2020 Census, Minnesota state representatives represented an average of42,610 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented39,663 residents.
Each Senate district is divided in half and given the suffix A or B (i.e. House district 32B is geographically within Senate district 32).
| As of February 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Members | |
| Democratic | 67 | |
| Republican | 67 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 134 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
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.
Minnesota House of Representatives election results: 1992-2024
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 87 | 71 | 70 | 63 | 65 | 52 | 66 | 85 | 87 | 62 | 73 | 62 | 57 | 75 | 70 | 70 | 66 |
| Republicans | 47 | 63 | 64 | 71 | 69 | 82 | 68 | 49 | 47 | 72 | 61 | 72 | 77 | 59 | 64 | 64 | 67 |
Elections
2026
Elections for theMinnesota State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isAugust 11, 2026. The filing deadline isJune 2, 2026.
Elections for theMinnesota House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isAugust 11, 2026. The filing deadline isJune 2, 2026.
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.
2022
Elections for theMinnesota State Senate 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.
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.
2020
Elections for the office ofMinnesota State Senate 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.
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.
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.[1]
2016
Elections for theMinnesota State Senate 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.
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.
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.
2012
Elections for the office of Minnesota State Senate 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.
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.
2010
Elections for the office of Minnesota State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 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.
Sessions
Article IV of the Minnesota Constitution establishes when the Legislature 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.[2]
As such,MN Statute 3.011 establishes that on 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.[2]
2025
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. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 12, 2024, and adjourn on May 20, 2024. 2023In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2023, and adjourn on May 22, 2023. 2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 31, 2022, and adjourn on May 23, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2021, and adjourn on May 17, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 11, 2020, and adjourn on May 17, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic
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.[3][4] 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through May 20, 2019. 2018In 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. 2017In 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.
2016In 2016, the legislature was in session from March 8 through May 23. 2015In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 6 through May 18. Major issues in 2015Major 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.[12] 2014In 2014, the legislature was in session from February 25 to May 19. Major issues in 2014Major 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.[13][14] 2013In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to May 20. Major issues in 2013Major 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.[15] Tax increaseA 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.[16][17] 2012In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 24 to May 10. 2011In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 4 to May 23. Session highlightsGovernment shutdownMinnesota'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.[18] 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.[19] 2010In 2010, the legislature was in session from February 4 to March 17. |
Role in state budget
- See also:Minnesota state budget and finances
Minnesotaon |
The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[20]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies betweenMay and June of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
- State agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor byOctober 15.
- 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.
- 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.[21]
Minnesota is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.[20][22]
The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[20]
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.[23]
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."[23]
2020
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.[24] 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.[25][26][27] The changes were effective for the2024 elections.
2010
Minnesota received its local census data on March 16, 2011. The state's population increased 7.8 percent, even though four of the five most populated cities showed slight decreases in population; only Rochester (pop. 106,769, up 24.4 percent) showed growth.[28]
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 when it heard lawsuits over the matter, even though the Legislature's deadline of February 2012 had not yet come up. On February 21, 2012, the panel released a final map, pairing 30 incumbents in the House and 16 in the Senate.
Legislators
Salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2025[29] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $51,750/year | $86/day |
Swearing in dates
Minnesota legislators assume office on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in January after the election.[30][31]
District maps
State Senate
State House
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.
| Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 90 of the 134 members in theMinnesota House of Representatives and 45 of the 67 members in theMinnesota 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 theMinnesota 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." |
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
Minnesota State Senate:From 1992 to 2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Minnesota State Senate for 20 years while the Republicans were the majority for two years. The Minnesota State Senate is one of 16 state Senates that were Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992 and 2013. For the final year of the study, Minnesota was under a Democratictrifecta.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state Senates from 1992 to 2013.
Minnesota House of Representatives:From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Minnesota State House of Representatives for 12 years while the Republicans were the majority for 10 years. For the final year of the study, Minnesota was under a Democratictrifecta.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican state Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Minnesota, theMinnesota State Senate and theMinnesota House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Minnesota state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Minnesota has been under divided government for the entirety of the study (1992-2012) until the state elected a Democratic trifecta in 2012. Minnesota also ranked in the top-5 of the SQLI ranking for the entirety of the study, reaching its lowest ranking (5th) in four separate years. The state hit the top spot twice, in 2011 and 2012, under divided government.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: N/A
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: N/A
- SQLI average with divided government: 3.14
Joint legislative committees
- See also:Public policy in Minnesota
The Minnesota State Legislature has two joint standing committees, as well as a number of commissions and task forces.[32]
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:
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.[33]
Legislature
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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑Minnesota Secretary of State, "Elections Calendar," accessed June 15, 2017
- ↑2.02.1Minnesota Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Minnesota," accessed February 15, 2021
- ↑Redwood Falls Gazette, "Minnesota state legislature suspends its business until April 14," March 22, 2020
- ↑Post Bulletin, "Minnesota Legislature to return Thursday to take up COVID-19 response," March 25, 2020
- ↑CBS Minnesota, "Gov. Dayton Says He’s ‘Genuinely Undecided’ On All Budget Bills," May 26, 2017
- ↑6.06.1StarTribune, "Dayton signs 10 budget bills and tax cuts, but defunds Legislature," May 31, 2017
- ↑StarTribune, "Judge strikes down Gov. Mark Dayton's veto of Legislature's budget; Dayton plans appeal," July 19, 2017
- ↑KSTP 5, "Dayton Says He Will Appeal Judge's Ruling his Veto was Unconstitutional," July 19, 2017
- ↑CBS Minnesota, "Arguments In Supreme Court Case Between Legislature, Dayton Begin Monday," August 27, 2017
- ↑Twin Cities, "Legislature restores its $130M budget, concluding legal battle with Dayton," February 22, 2018
- ↑CBS Minnesota, "Gov. Dayton Signs Legislative Budget Into Law," February 26, 2018
- ↑Daily Globe, "Lawmakers face long list of issues," January 4, 2015
- ↑Twin Cities Daily Planet, "Previewing the 2014 Minnesota legislative session: Issues and contrasting agendas," February 24, 2014
- ↑KXLT, "Minnesota Legislature now in session," February 25, 2014
- ↑minnesota.publicradio.org, "Minnesota Legislature preview: 10 issues to watch," January 4, 2013
- ↑Minnesota House of Representatives, "Property tax relief, new fourth tier rate highlight conferred tax bill," May 20, 2013
- ↑Wall Street Journal, "States' Rift on Taxes Widens," May 23, 2013
- ↑CNNMoney, "Minnesota shutdown: It's over," July 20, 2011
- ↑Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "138 legislators are collecting paychecks during shutdown," July 10, 2011
- ↑20.020.120.2National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑Minnesota Management and Budget, "Minnesota's Budget Process," accessed January 24, 2024
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑23.023.1All About Redistricting, "Minnesota," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedchange2 - ↑U.S. Census Bureau, "U.S. Census Bureau Delivers Minnesota's 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race and Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting," March 16, 2011
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2025 Legislator Compensation," December 2, 2025
- ↑Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.05," accessed January 13, 2025
- ↑Minnesota.gov, "Minnesota Statute 3.011," accessed January 13, 2025
- ↑Minnesota Legislature, "Joint Departments and Commissions," accessed February 15, 2021
- ↑The Pink Ballot Statute, 204D.15
