94th Minnesota Legislature
| 94th Minnesota Legislature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | |||||
| Overview | |||||
| Term | January 14, 2025 – TBD | ||||
| Senate | |||||
 | |||||
| Members | 67 senators | ||||
| President | Bobby Joe Champion (DFL) | ||||
| House of Representatives | |||||
 | |||||
| Members | 134 representatives | ||||
| Speaker | Lisa Demuth (R) | ||||
| Sessions | |||||
| |||||
The Ninety-fourth Minnesota Legislature is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the state of Minnesota, composed of the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives. It convened in Saint Paul on January 14, 2025,[1] following the November 2024 elections for the House as well as a special election for Senate District 45. The Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) held a one-seat majority in the Senate and a five-seat majority in the House in the previous legislature. The 2024 elections left the Senate composition unchanged, but it left the House evenly split between the Republicans and the DFL.
Due to a pre-session vacancy, the 94th legislature began with a power struggle between the Republicans and the DFL in the House.
Background
[edit]House rule changes
[edit]Under HF 1830, which was passed in the first session of the 93rd Legislature and takes effect on January 13, 2025, the statutory definition of a "legislative day" will only include days "when either house of the legislature gives any bill a third reading, adopts a rule of procedure or organization, elects a university regent, confirms a gubernatorial appointment, or votes to override a gubernatorial veto."[2][3] This will exclude all committee meetings and votes, as well as first and second reading of any bill in floor session of either house, theoretically allowing for more legislative business to be conducted for more calendar days without violating the constitutional limit of legislative sessions to 120 legislative days every two years. The law also provides for a later start date for the session, moving it from the first to the second Monday in January.
Party priorities
[edit]The Republican House leader Lisa Demuth said to the Sahan Journal that her caucus' priorities include opposing any new taxes, eliminating the tax on Social Security, investigating fraud (like the Feeding Our Future scandal) by establishing a new oversight committee, and assessing the necessity of DEI positions within some state agencies.[4]
House DFL priorities, announced during the boycott from a location outside the Capitol, include codified reproductive rights, new environmental protections, and expanded access to child care, education, affordable housing, and health care.[5]
A bipartisan coalition of legislators are moving forward with a bill to legalize sports betting in the 2025 session.[6] Another bipartisan bill seeks to ban cell phones in schools.[7]
Session
[edit]While the DFL retained control of the Senate, which was not up for election in 2024, they lost 3 seats in the House to the Republicans, initially leaving the chamber deadlocked at 67–67. This is only the second time in state history that the House was tied after a general election.[8] Negotiations for a power-sharing arrangement ensued between Lisa Demuth (Republican) and Melissa Hortman (DFL). During negotiations, Republicans successfully challenged the election of Curtis Johnson for District 40B of the House at the state's supreme court, leaving a vacancy and requiring a special election. The judge ruled that Johnson does not meet residency requirements and is thus ineligible to serve.[9] This left the house in Republican control at 67–66. Hortman proposed that Republicans temporarily exercise majority control for the first three weeks of the session, including chairing all committees, while maintaining a one-vote advantage on each committee. The DFL vowed not to attend the opening session unless Republicans honored the previously negotiated power-sharing agreement.[10]
On December 27, 2024, Governor Tim Walz called for a special election for January 28, 2025 to fill Johnson's seat.[11] Republicans took his call for an election to court, and the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled the writ of election invalid as he had called the election prematurely.[12] On February 5, he called a new election for the seat, which will be held on March 11.[13]
House DFL boycott
[edit]On January 14, 2025, the House commenced its legislative session without the presence of any DFL House members in the chamber.[14] Pre-empting this boycott, DFL members held a swearing-in ceremony with a judge prior to the start of session, a move that Republicans criticized as illegitimate but that DFL members describe as holding precedent.[15] The DFL's absence was a strategic response to Republican efforts to secure control of the speakership and committee chairs. [16]
Secretary of State Steve Simon, determining that the House lacked the necessary quorum of 68 members, adjourned the session. Shortly thereafter, Republican representative Paul Anderson declared that the 67 Republicans constituted a quorum in the 133-member House, thereby challenging Simon's decision. The Republicans then elected Lisa Demuth as Speaker and Harry Niska as majority leader.[17] In the coming days, they further organized the House,[18] held floor sessions and committee meetings, and passed a resolution concerning the vacancy in district 40B.[19]
In response to Republican actions, Hortman stated that the DFL would continue to deny quorum until the special election in District 40B concluded and the new member was sworn in.[14] The DFL petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court that the election of a speaker and all actions following the secretary of state's adjournment of the session were unlawful due to the lack of a quorum.[20] The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the DFL, ruling that quorum is 68 seats regardless of any vacancies and effectively voiding all actions taken by House Republicans, including all floor votes, the election of a speaker, and the organization of leadership and committees.[21]
For the following days of session, the house has met very briefly: each day the secretary of state has taken the roll, and with only the 67 House Republicans in attendance, Simon adjourns until the following day. Party leaders are in negotiations over a new power-sharing agreement.[22] Hortman claims that Demuth refused to meet in person for negotiations,[23] Demuth has sued Simon, claiming that by adjourning session, he is ignoring a constitutional right of present members to compel the absent representatives' attendance.[24] On February 4, the Minnesota Republican Party announced recall petitions of all 66 members of the house DFL caucus due to their failure to appear at session.[25] DFL members continued to collect salaries, draft bills, and meet with constituents during the boycott.[26]
The three-week boycott ended when the leaders of each party struck a deal on February 5,[26] which included a guarantee that Brad Tabke (DFL) would be seated despite previous election contests from Republicans, and which gave Republicans the speakership and leadership of a fraud and oversight committee.[27] On February 6, they met in the chamber with quorum for the first full session, celebrating with cheers and handshakes as Simon announced quorum. In their first official vote, they elected Lisa Demuth as speaker on a 67-65 vote, making her the first female Republican and the first person of color in the role.[28]
Political composition
[edit]Senate
[edit]| Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | Vacant | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic– Farmer–Labor |
Republican | |||
| End of the previous Legislature | 34 | 33 | 67 | 0 |
| December 27, 2024 | 33 | 33 | 66 | 1[nb 1] |
| Begin 2025 | 33 | 33 | 66 | 1[nb 1] |
| February 3, 2025[nb 2] | 34 | 33 | 67 | 0 |
| Latest voting share | 50.75% | 49.25% | ||
House of Representatives
[edit]| Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | Vacant | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic– Farmer–Labor |
Republican | |||
| End of the previous Legislature | 69 | 64 | 133 | 1 |
| After the 2024 election | 67 | 67 | 134 | — |
| Begin 2025 | 66 | 67 | 133 | 1[nb 3] |
| Latest voting share | 49.6% | 50.4% | ||
Leadership
[edit]Senate
[edit]The Senate began with a power-sharing agreement and two co-presiding officers on January 14, 2025, as there was a vacancy in Senate District 60.[30] After the special election to fill the seat, the Senate reorganized under DFL leadership.[31][32]
- President: Bobby Joe Champion (DFL)
- President pro tempore: Ann Rest (DFL)
DFL leadership
[edit]- Leader: Erin Murphy (DFL)
- Assistant Leaders:
Republican leadership
[edit]- Leader: Mark Johnson (R)
- Assistant Leaders:
House of Representatives
[edit]Leadership of the House of Representatives was first determined on February 6, 2025, following a bipartisan power-sharing agreement.[28]
- Speaker: Lisa Demuth (R)[28]
- Speaker pro tempore: TBD
Republican leadership
[edit]- Majority Leader: Harry Niska (R)[33]
- Whip: Jim Nash (R)[33]
- Assistant Leaders: TBD
DFL leadership
[edit]- Minority Leader: Melissa Hortman (DFL)[33]
- Floor Leader: Jamie Long (DFL)[33]
- Whip: TBD
- Assistant Leaders: TBD
Members
[edit]
Senate
[edit]House of Representatives
[edit]
Changes in membership
[edit]House of Representatives
[edit]| District | Vacated by | Description | Successor | Date seated | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40B | Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL) |
Becker-Finn did not seek re-election in 2024. Curtis Johnson (DFL) won the election in November 2024, but his election was nullified due to residency requirements. A special election will be held on March 11.[13] | TBD | TBD | ||
Senate
[edit]| District | Vacated by | Description | Successor | Date seated | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | Kari Dziedzic (DFL) | Dziedzic died of cancer-related complications on December 27, 2024, prior to the start of session.[35] A special election was held on January 28, 2025. Doron Clark (DFL) was elected with over 90% of the vote.[36] | Doron Clark | February 3, 2025[37] | ||
Committees
[edit]Senate committees
[edit]The session began with senate committees co-chaired by members of each party, as control was tied until the seat for District 60 was filled. After the seat was filled in early February, membership elected DFL leadership of senate committees[38]
House committees
[edit]The initial plan was to adopt a bipartisan approach to House committee leadership as well, with standing committees and divisions co-chaired by members from the DFL and Republican parties. Committee memberships will be equally divided between the two parties.[39] Committee and division co-chairs were announced on November 25, 2024.[40]
On February 6, 2025, the house met with quorum for the first time. Committees have been established with equal numbers of DFL and Republican members on each committee. Until the winner of the election is seated for District 40B, one DFL member on each committee will be unable to vote, and the Republican co-chair designates will act as chair.[41]
| House of Representatives committees as of November 2024 | ||
| Republican co-chairs act as chairs while they hold a 1-seat majority in the House.[42] | ||
| Committee | DFL co-chair | Republican co-chair |
|---|---|---|
| Rules and Legislative Administration | Jamie Long | Harry Niska |
| Ways and Means | Zack Stephenson | Paul Torkelson |
| Agriculture Finance and Policy | Rick Hansen | Paul Anderson |
| Capital Investment | Fue Lee | Mary Franson |
| Children and Families Finance and Policy | Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn | Nolan West |
| Commerce Finance and Policy | Kaohly Her | Tim O'Driscoll |
| Education Finance | Cheryl Youakim | Ron Kresha |
| Education Policy | Sydney Jordan | Peggy Bennett |
| Energy Finance and Policy | Patty Acomb | Chris Swedzinski |
| Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy | Peter Fischer | Josh Heintzeman |
| Ethics | Kelly Moller | Greg Davids |
| Elections Finance and Government Operations | Mike Freiberg | Duane Quam |
| Health Finance and Policy | Robert Bierman | Jeff Backer |
| Higher Education Finance and Policy | Dan Wolgamott | Marion Rarick |
| Housing Finance and Policy | Michael Howard | Spencer Igo |
| Human Services Finance and Policy | Mohamud Noor | Joe Schomacker |
| Judiciary Finance and Civil Law | Tina Liebling | Peggy Scott |
| Labor and Workforce Development Finance and Policy | Dave Pinto | Dave Baker |
| Legacy Finance | Samantha Vang | Joe McDonald |
| Public Safety Finance and Policy | Kelly Moller | Paul Novotny |
| State Government Finance and Policy | Ginny Klevorn | Jim Nash |
| Veterans and Military Affairs Division | Jay Xiong | Matt Bliss |
| Taxes | Aisha Gomez | Greg Davids |
| Transportation Finance and Policy | Erin Koegel | Jon Koznick |
| Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement | Leon Lillie | Tim O'Driscoll |
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Vacant upon the death of Kari Dziedzic, to be filled in a special election on January 28, 2025.
- ^ Doron Clark seated.[29] Elected in a special election on January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b After the election of Curtis Johnson was successfully challenged in court due to residency requirements, there is a vacancy in district 40B,[9] to be filled March 11.[13]
- ^ a b c d e f Elected in a special election.
- ^ Lost re-election 2010. Elected again in 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Elected in a special election.[34]
- ^ Elected in a special election. Lost re-election in 2006. Elected again in 2008.
References
[edit]- ^ "2025 Legislative Dates". Minnesota Governmental Relations Council. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ "Omnibus government bill proposes changes to definition of legislative day, altered session start date - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "New state flag, changes to 'legislative day' definition among measures adopted by state government, elections negotiators - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Peters, Joey (January 2, 2025). "Minnesota House Co-Speaker Designate Lisa Demuth shares priorities for the 2025 legislative session Co-Speaker Designate Lisa Demuth shares priorities for 2025 session". Sahan Journal. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ Duxter, Adam; Lentz, Nick (January 17, 2025). "Minnesota House DFL leaders lay out legislative agenda amid ongoing dispute with Republicans". WCCO-TV. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ Callaghan, Peter (January 9, 2025). "Will talk of sports betting's harms slow Minnesota bill's momentum?". MinnPost. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ Hoggard, Corin (February 10, 2025). "MN lawmakers consider statewide ban on cell phones in schools". KMSP. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ "The year the House was tied, and how the two parties made peace … until they didn't - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ a b Jacobsen, Jeremiah (December 20, 2024). "Roseville election ruling shakes up control of Minnesota legislature". KARE-TV. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ Kaczke, Lisa (January 6, 2025). "House Republicans plan to act as majority, DFL threatens Opening Day absence in power sharing tug-of-war". Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Walz Issues Writ of Special Election to Fill Vacancy in House District 40B". Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. December 27, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ Dachel, Felicity (January 17, 2025). "'Issued prematurely': House District 40B special election set for Jan. 28 canceled, Minnesota Supreme Court rules". Kare 11. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c Ferguson, Dana (February 5, 2025). "Walz sets special election for seat in suburban Ramsey County that will decide House power". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Hubbard, Rob (January 14, 2025). "Simon says no quorum, Republicans elect Demuth speaker". Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ Bierschbach, Briana; Olson, Rochelle (January 13, 2025). "Minnesota House Democrats sworn into office early as they prepare to boycott start of session". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ Bierschbach, Briana; Olson, Rochelle; Faircloth, Ryan (January 14, 2025). "Minnesota House Democrats boycott first day of session, but Republicans move forward anyway". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ Londoño, Ernesto (January 14, 2025). "Minnesota House Democrats Boycott First Day of Session". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ Ferguson, Dana; Masters, Clay (January 15, 2025). "Minnesota legislative standoff spills out of the Statehouse into the courthouse". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Legislative Session Begins Under Unusual Circumstances". League of Minnesota Cities. January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ Cummings, Caroline; Bettin, Anthony (January 15, 2025). "DFL members, secretary of state petition state Supreme Court over Republican actions at Minnesota House". WCCO-TV. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ Jacobsen, Jeremiah (January 24, 2025). "MN Supreme Court rules on Minnesota House quorum, effectively voiding GOP action thus far". MPR News. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ Hoggard, Corin (January 28, 2025). "Standoff extended in Minnesota House with no power-sharing deal". Fox 9 KMSP. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ "Hortman statement on status of negotiations with Demuth". Minnesota House of Representatives. Saint Paul, MN. January 30, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ Brown, Kyle; Hauser, Tom (January 31, 2025). "House GOP sues secretary of state, accusing him of overstepping authority as presiding officer". KSTP-TV. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ "MN GOP announces recall petitions against House DFL members as weeks-long boycott continues". KSTP. February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ a b Faircloth, Ryan; Bierschbach, Briana (February 5, 2025). "Democrats and Republicans reach deal to end Minnesota House stalemate". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ Cook, Mike (February 6, 2025). "House DFL, Republicans strike power-sharing deal". Session Daily. Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c Ferguson, Dana; Masters, Clay; Cox, Peter (February 6, 2025). "'No-shenanigans handshake' helps usher in Minnesota House return after prolonged power standoff". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ Hauser, Tom; Brown, Kyle (February 3, 2025). "Doron Clark is sworn in to Senate, restoring DFL's one-seat majority". KSTP-TV. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ Callaghan, Peter (January 14, 2025). "Minnesota Legislature to open with two presidents and calm in the Senate, storm in the House". Minn Post. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ Hauser, Tom; Brown, Kyle (February 3, 2025). "Doron Clark is sworn in to Senate, restoring DFL's one-seat majority". KSTP. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ "Senate Member Information 2025 - 2026: Leadership". Minnesota Senate. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Leadership of the Minnesota House of Representatives 2025". Minnesota House of Representatives. Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ "Party Control of the Minnesota House of Representatives, 1951–present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- ^ Ferguson, Dana. "Kari Dziedzic, former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader, dies at 62". MPR News.
- ^ "Doron Clark wins Senate special election, DFLers take back the Minnesota Senate". Minnesota Public Radio. January 28, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ Hauser, Tom; Brown, Kyle (February 3, 2025). "Doron Clark is sworn in to Senate, restoring DFL's one-seat majority". Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ a b "Minnesota Senate Committees Per Agreement for the Temporary Organization of the Senate: 2025 - 2026 Biennium, Ninety-fourth Legislature". Minnesota State Senate. Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ "House committees, meeting schedule announced for 2025-26 biennium". Minnesota House of Representatives. November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ "House committee, division co-chairs announced for 2025-26 legislative biennium - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Schmidt, Corey (February 6, 2025). "Demuth chosen as Minnesota House speaker as power-sharing agreement ends DFL boycott". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ "House Committees 2025". Minnesota House of Representatives. Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved February 4, 2025.