Minnesota Legislature
Evenly-split House compromises to pass major legislation, finish session on time
By Rob Hubbard
The bipartisan burst of enthusiastic applause that reverberated around the House Chamber at midnight felt like a catharsis full of relief and release late Sunday.
For the first time this decade, the Legislature completed its business on time, without one party infuriating the other with parliamentary maneuvers or the size of its bills.
Yes, in the second year of an evenly divided House of Representatives, members seemed to have settled into a relatively comfortable pattern of largely agreeing on the most important issues to address, compromising on details, and eventually accepting that there were some areas in which movement wouldn’t be possible.
“A lot of tension, a lot of emotion” is the way that House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) described the mood that pervaded the session. After a nerve-addling interim that included the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, the shooting at Annunciation Church and School and Operation Metro Surge, Stephenson said he is proud that legislators held it together despite a few “combustible moments in session.”
Recent Dailies
Lawmakers weigh legislation that would expand Minneapolis' downtown taxing area, seek golf events
By Rob Hubbard
At first glance, HF4361 looks something like a grab bag of almost unrelated items.
But a closer look at the bill sponsored by Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL-Mpls) reveals four prov...
House panel hears funding proposal for first state-run pediatric psychiatric treatment facility
By Graham Johnson
When children have complex mental health conditions in Minnesota, they often have few options.
Children’s residential facility capacity has decreased by 36%, or 888 beds, si...
State patrol details impact of new weapons screening protocols at Minnesota Capitol
By Graham Johnson
To date, 121,598 people have passed through the weapons screening to enter the Capitol during the 2026 legislative session.
Capitol Security has turned away 52 weapons, the ...
House passes legislation to extend window for prosecuting medical assistance fraud
By Tim Walker
Combating fraud in state programs has been a consistent theme this session, with many anti-fraud bills being discussed, including a high-profile bill that would create an indepe...
Proposed rules on motorized bikes, motorcycles headed to House Floor
By Rob Hubbard
What hit Janet Stotko? That’s been a controversy among law enforcement, insurance companies and advocacy organizations focused on bicycles and motorcycles.
What’s known is t...
Lawmakers advance legislation to stabilize local radio stations jeopardized by federal cuts
By Mike Cook Better known as AMPERS, the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations is an association of 17 independent locally programmed and managed radio stations across t...Week in Review: April 13-17
By Lisa Kaczke
It was a week of an impeachment attempt, omnibus bills and last committee meetings for many retiring lawmakers.
A resolution on impeachment investigations of a state officer...
Lawmakers wrestle with financial aid deficit as they approve higher ed omnibus bill
By Margaret Stevens
A $130 million shortfall in Minnesota’s State Grant program dominated Thursday’s discussion by the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee.
While party debate di...
Health finance bill would prioritize compliance with federal ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
By Winter Keefer President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” is about to upend many facets of Medicaid coverage in the state, and the Legislature needs to pass bills to be in compliance wi...Human services committee rejects sustained funding hike for Medicaid fraud investigation unit
By Winter Keefer Members of the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee agree they want more investigation and prosecution of fraudsters in the state. But their opinion of the state at...Session Daily Home
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Could 2026 retirements lead to record turnover in the House?
By Lisa Kaczke
In the final weeks of the legislative session, House members not seeking re-election to the body have taken a turn at gaveling in a floor session.
It’s an opportunity to loo...
How short are the Legislature's short sessions?
By Lisa Kaczke
Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) was ready to end the session March 25, making the motion to adjourn sine die. But not enough of his colleagues shared that sentiment, defeating ...
