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
‘One and done’: Conference committee wraps up public safety policy bill
By Tim Walker
There were two firsts at the public safety policy conference committee meeting Friday.
It was the first conference committee to meet this year, and it was also the first to ...
Voice, roll call and division: Voting in a tied House
By Winter Keefer
During a February House Health Finance and Policy Committee, a voice vote was called following debate about a bill to create a license for massage therapy and Asian bodywork the...
House lawmakers OK bill to bring Minnesota into compliance with 'One Big Beautiful Bill'
By Winter Keefer
Some legislators aren’t fond of what could happen if the state conforms with Medicaid cuts, changes and restrictions included in HR1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
...
After yearlong push, House passes inspector general bill aimed at combating fraud
By Mike Cook
One year ago Friday, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill concerning one of the highest-profile issues of this legislative biennium.
But the House took no action in 2025....
Legislation to designate a 'Snow Professionals Appreciation Month' clears Minnesota House
By Mike Cook
Green grass is sprouting across the state, trees are in bloom and thousands of Minnesotans will take to the open water Saturday for the fishing opener.
The House may have se...
House passes elections bill after lengthy amendments discussions
By Graham Johnson
Nearly three hours into Wednesday’s debate, Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley) encouraged his House colleagues to vote for the elections bill he sponsors.
“This bill inc...
Passed by House, ‘Payment Transparency Act’ aims to help subcontractors get paid
By Mike Cook Helping small businesses get paid on time and creating better working relationships is the crux of a bill referenced as the “Payment Transparency Act.” Sponsored in the Hous...House, Senate tax chairs kick off informal negotiations as session's end looms
By Rob Hubbard
It wasn’t a conference committee, but it looked a lot like one.
Gathered around the semi-circular table in the center of the Capitol’s ground floor were members of the House...
House passes bill to boost spending on security at State Capitol, Minnesota courtrooms
By Tim Walker
Political violence is all too real here in Minnesota and across the country. In these politically tense times, more security measures are needed to make everyone feel safe.
...
Facing deadline, Minnesota lawmakers spar over size, scope of possible bonding bill
By Graham Johnson Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) is a “Nervous Nelly” about the state of the bonding bill. At a press conference on lead line replacement Wednesday, Pappas, alongside the H...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 ...
