Some people are curious about all aspects of Minnesota government. Some only want to know a few key facts. It is a balancing act, but know that the information here is not exhaustive. See the list of links at the end of this section for additional, in depth information if you need more.
In order to understand the role of the Minnesota Legislature, it may be helpful to review basic government structure. Our democratic system of government is separated into different levels and branches. The three levels of government -- federal, state and local -- all function to meet separate responsibilities. Each level of government is made up of three separate branches, the executive, the legislative, and the judicial, with each exercising individual authority in order to serve the people of the community, state, and nation.
The responsibilities of each branch of government differ, and no branch of government is given power over another. This system of "checks and balances"" insures that no single group can dominate the workings of government and that no one part of government can dominate another part of government.
The legislative branch is responsible for the enactment and revision of laws, and this is the branch we work most closely with. The United States Congress forms the laws at the national level, and the Minnesota Legislature is the lawmaking body for the State of Minnesota. Both Congress and the Minnesota Legislature consist of two bodies: a Senate and a House of Representatives. This two body system is referred to as a bicameral system.
The United States Congress
Many citizens confuse the elected officials who represent them in the state legislature with those who work for them in the U.S. Congress. At the national level, every citizen is represented by three persons -- two senators and one member of congress. While every state has two senators, the total number of members of congress representing each state varies in proportion to the state's population. In Minnesota, eight members are elected to the U.S. Congress. In all, the U.S. Senate has 100 senators and the U.S. House of Representatives has 435 members. Their responsibility is to concentrate on issues of national interest, such as federal tax policies, immigration laws and national defense. They are your voice in Washington, D.C.
State legislatures
Citizens in every state also elect officials to represent them at the state level. Those elected to the state's lawmaking body, referred to as Legislators, work on state issues, such as funding the elementary and secondary education system, setting state tax policy, and funding state human service programs.
When Does the Minnesota Legislature Meet? It is a bit complicated, but in odd-numbered years, the session begins approximately the first week in January. In even numbered years, it convenes on a date set by joint agreement of both bodies. The MLA/MEMO lobbyist keeps us well informed on these dates. The Minnesota Legislature meets each year, functioning on a two-year cycle called a biennium.
Makeup of the 2011-2012 Legislature
The Minnesota Legislature has 201 members and the State is divided into 67 legislative districts. Voters elect one senator from each of those districts. Senators are elected for a four-year term. In election years ending in 0, such as 2000 or 1990, Senators serve a two-year term in order to provide for the redistricting process done in conjunction with the U.S. Census.
Each Senate district is divided into two sections. Voters elect one House member, or representative, from each section, making a total of 134 representatives in the House. These districts are identified with an "A" or a "B." Representatives are elected for a two-year term. In the 2011-2012 session, Republicans gained majorities in both the House and Senate.
MN House of Representatives: In the 2011-2012 Legislature, the House has 72 Republicans and 62 DFLers. There are 36 newly elected members, with 33 of them being Republican.
House Leadership in the 2011-2012 Legislature includes:
Senate Leadership in the 2011-2012 Legislature includes:
The names of and even the existence of committees and leadership in the House and Senate can change with each legislative session. Each biennium, our library lobbyist shares the committee names that we should pay attention to and advises us on strategy. In the 2011-2012 session, please consider these handy facts and links to more in-depth committee information.
MN House of Representatives Committees
The 2011-2012 House Committees that the MN library community is most closely involved with include:
Capital Investment
Chair: Rep. Larry Howes 491 State Office Building 651-296-2451
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Education Finance
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo 537 State Office Building 651-296-1069
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Education Reform
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson 509 State Office Building 651-296-6746
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Higher Education Policy and Finance
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes 471 State Office Building 651-296-4946
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Legacy Funding Division
Chair: Rep. Dean Urdahl 571 State Office Building 651-296-4344
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Taxes
Chair: Rep. Greg Davids 585 State Office Building 651-296-9278
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Property and Local Tax Division
Chair: Rep. Linda Runbeck 583 State Office Building 651-296-2907
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
If you are viewing this information in print, go to the following link to simply point and click on the underlined committee links above. Also use this link for a complete list of all House committees, and all of the details about each of them www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/commemlist.asp
Minnesota Senate
In the 2011-2012 Legislature, the Senate has fewer Committees that the House. The MN library community is most closely involved with the following Senate committees:
Capital Investment
Chair: David H. Senjem Room 121 Capitol 651.296.5540
Members Subscribe Staff Upcoming Meetings Schedules Jurisdiction Audio and Video Budget Tracking Spreadsheets Legislation Related Issues
Education
Chair: Gen Olson Room 235 Capitol 651.296.5312
Regular Meeting Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Members Subscribe Staff Upcoming Meetings Schedules Minutes Jurisdiction Audio and Video Budget Tracking Spreadsheets Legislation Related Issues
Higher Education
Chair: Michelle L. Fischbach Room 226 Capitol 651.296.5538
Regular Meeting Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Members Subscribe Staff Upcoming Meetings Schedules Minutes Jurisdiction Audio and Video Budget Tracking Spreadsheets Legislation Related Issues
Taxes
Chair: Julianne E. Ortman Room 120 Capitol 651-296-5640
Regular Meeting Schedule:Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 - 10:00 am
Friday On Call, 10:00 am - Noon
Members Subscribe Staff Upcoming Meetings Schedules Minutes Jurisdiction Audio and Video Budget Tracking Spreadsheets Legislation Related Issues
If you are viewing this information in print, go to the following link to simply point and click on the underlined committee links above. Also use this link for a complete list of all Senate committees, and all of the details about each of them www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/committees/committee_list.php?ls=87#header
How Can I Find My Legislator?
If you know your legislative district number or your legislators name, you can consult the print directory included in the links section below. There, you will find a short bio that includes where they are housed on the legislative campus. If you know neither piece of information, by going online, you can just type in your address or your zipcode to get not only your Minnesota representatives, but your representatives in Washington D.C.too. Go to District Finder at www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
How to Find and Follow a Bill
Search for House and Senate bills by bill number, author, topic, statutory citation, and by keyword in the bill's description by using the search tool at http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/trackbil.asp. Once you have found a bill you may want to track it. For personalized bill tracking using email or RSS, go to http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/billsublogin.asp
How can I stay engaged and connected to MN library legislative issues as they develop at the Capitol?
Join either MEMO or MLA and join the Legislative Committee to get updates and discuss library issues with lobbyist Elaine Keefe. Also consider setting up an electronic, current-awareness legislative service for yourself using mailing lists, Twitter, and RSS feeds. Go to http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/elists.asp to pick and choose what is most important to track legislatively and get yourself set up for continued updates and all of the latest information.
Links for More Information
For Frequently Asked Questions about the MN Legislature, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.aspx?subject=1
Would you like a directory of the MN Legislature? Go to www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/leginfo/elecdir10.pdf
For detailed information about the three branches of the Minnesota state government, go to www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govser/GOVSER9.pdf
To better understand legislative terms and definitions, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.asp?subject=18
To learn about how a bill becomes a law in Minnesota, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/howbill.asp
For additional detailed information about membership on committees, hearings, conference committees, and who can testify at hearings, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.asp?subject=5
Source: Some of the initial content of this part of the guide was taken from various sections of the Minnesota State Legislature website. Modifications and customizations were made to reflect a Minnesota library focus.
In order to understand the role of the Minnesota Legislature, it may be helpful to review basic government structure. Our democratic system of government is separated into different levels and branches. The three levels of government -- federal, state and local -- all function to meet separate responsibilities. Each level of government is made up of three separate branches, the executive, the legislative, and the judicial, with each exercising individual authority in order to serve the people of the community, state, and nation.
The responsibilities of each branch of government differ, and no branch of government is given power over another. This system of "checks and balances"" insures that no single group can dominate the workings of government and that no one part of government can dominate another part of government.
The legislative branch is responsible for the enactment and revision of laws, and this is the branch we work most closely with. The United States Congress forms the laws at the national level, and the Minnesota Legislature is the lawmaking body for the State of Minnesota. Both Congress and the Minnesota Legislature consist of two bodies: a Senate and a House of Representatives. This two body system is referred to as a bicameral system.
The United States Congress
Many citizens confuse the elected officials who represent them in the state legislature with those who work for them in the U.S. Congress. At the national level, every citizen is represented by three persons -- two senators and one member of congress. While every state has two senators, the total number of members of congress representing each state varies in proportion to the state's population. In Minnesota, eight members are elected to the U.S. Congress. In all, the U.S. Senate has 100 senators and the U.S. House of Representatives has 435 members. Their responsibility is to concentrate on issues of national interest, such as federal tax policies, immigration laws and national defense. They are your voice in Washington, D.C.
State legislatures
Citizens in every state also elect officials to represent them at the state level. Those elected to the state's lawmaking body, referred to as Legislators, work on state issues, such as funding the elementary and secondary education system, setting state tax policy, and funding state human service programs.
When Does the Minnesota Legislature Meet? It is a bit complicated, but in odd-numbered years, the session begins approximately the first week in January. In even numbered years, it convenes on a date set by joint agreement of both bodies. The MLA/MEMO lobbyist keeps us well informed on these dates. The Minnesota Legislature meets each year, functioning on a two-year cycle called a biennium.
- The first year is called the long year, and runs from January through mid-May. It is the year that is focused on government, including libraries, funding issues.
- The second year, is called the short year, and typically runs from February through the end of April. We call the second year the bonding year. It is the year that we project needs for bonding bills to support library accessibility or library building projects that will be included in a larger bonding bill for public projects.
Makeup of the 2011-2012 Legislature
The Minnesota Legislature has 201 members and the State is divided into 67 legislative districts. Voters elect one senator from each of those districts. Senators are elected for a four-year term. In election years ending in 0, such as 2000 or 1990, Senators serve a two-year term in order to provide for the redistricting process done in conjunction with the U.S. Census.
Each Senate district is divided into two sections. Voters elect one House member, or representative, from each section, making a total of 134 representatives in the House. These districts are identified with an "A" or a "B." Representatives are elected for a two-year term. In the 2011-2012 session, Republicans gained majorities in both the House and Senate.
MN House of Representatives: In the 2011-2012 Legislature, the House has 72 Republicans and 62 DFLers. There are 36 newly elected members, with 33 of them being Republican.
House Leadership in the 2011-2012 Legislature includes:
- Speaker of the House: Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove)
- House Majority Leader Representative Matt Dean (R-Dellwood)
- House Minority Leader : Representative Paul Thissen (DFL-Minneapolis)
Senate Leadership in the 2011-2012 Legislature includes:
- President of the Senate: Michelle L. Fischbach (R- Paynesville)
- Senate Majority Leader: Senator Amy Koch (R-Buffalo)
- Senate Minority Leader: Senator Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook)
The names of and even the existence of committees and leadership in the House and Senate can change with each legislative session. Each biennium, our library lobbyist shares the committee names that we should pay attention to and advises us on strategy. In the 2011-2012 session, please consider these handy facts and links to more in-depth committee information.
MN House of Representatives Committees
The 2011-2012 House Committees that the MN library community is most closely involved with include:
Capital Investment
Chair: Rep. Larry Howes 491 State Office Building 651-296-2451
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Education Finance
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo 537 State Office Building 651-296-1069
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Education Reform
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson 509 State Office Building 651-296-6746
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Higher Education Policy and Finance
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes 471 State Office Building 651-296-4946
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Legacy Funding Division
Chair: Rep. Dean Urdahl 571 State Office Building 651-296-4344
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Taxes
Chair: Rep. Greg Davids 585 State Office Building 651-296-9278
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
Property and Local Tax Division
Chair: Rep. Linda Runbeck 583 State Office Building 651-296-2907
Committee Home; Members; Schedule; Audio and Video; Meeting Minutes
If you are viewing this information in print, go to the following link to simply point and click on the underlined committee links above. Also use this link for a complete list of all House committees, and all of the details about each of them www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/commemlist.asp
Minnesota Senate
In the 2011-2012 Legislature, the Senate has fewer Committees that the House. The MN library community is most closely involved with the following Senate committees:
Capital Investment
Chair: David H. Senjem Room 121 Capitol 651.296.5540
Members Subscribe Staff Upcoming Meetings Schedules Jurisdiction Audio and Video Budget Tracking Spreadsheets Legislation Related Issues
Education
Chair: Gen Olson Room 235 Capitol 651.296.5312
Regular Meeting Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Members Subscribe Staff Upcoming Meetings Schedules Minutes Jurisdiction Audio and Video Budget Tracking Spreadsheets Legislation Related Issues
Higher Education
Chair: Michelle L. Fischbach Room 226 Capitol 651.296.5538
Regular Meeting Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Members Subscribe Staff Upcoming Meetings Schedules Minutes Jurisdiction Audio and Video Budget Tracking Spreadsheets Legislation Related Issues
Taxes
Chair: Julianne E. Ortman Room 120 Capitol 651-296-5640
Regular Meeting Schedule:Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 - 10:00 am
Friday On Call, 10:00 am - Noon
Members Subscribe Staff Upcoming Meetings Schedules Minutes Jurisdiction Audio and Video Budget Tracking Spreadsheets Legislation Related Issues
If you are viewing this information in print, go to the following link to simply point and click on the underlined committee links above. Also use this link for a complete list of all Senate committees, and all of the details about each of them www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/committees/committee_list.php?ls=87#header
How Can I Find My Legislator?
If you know your legislative district number or your legislators name, you can consult the print directory included in the links section below. There, you will find a short bio that includes where they are housed on the legislative campus. If you know neither piece of information, by going online, you can just type in your address or your zipcode to get not only your Minnesota representatives, but your representatives in Washington D.C.too. Go to District Finder at www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
How to Find and Follow a Bill
Search for House and Senate bills by bill number, author, topic, statutory citation, and by keyword in the bill's description by using the search tool at http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/trackbil.asp. Once you have found a bill you may want to track it. For personalized bill tracking using email or RSS, go to http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/billsublogin.asp
How can I stay engaged and connected to MN library legislative issues as they develop at the Capitol?
Join either MEMO or MLA and join the Legislative Committee to get updates and discuss library issues with lobbyist Elaine Keefe. Also consider setting up an electronic, current-awareness legislative service for yourself using mailing lists, Twitter, and RSS feeds. Go to http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/elists.asp to pick and choose what is most important to track legislatively and get yourself set up for continued updates and all of the latest information.
Links for More Information
For Frequently Asked Questions about the MN Legislature, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.aspx?subject=1
Would you like a directory of the MN Legislature? Go to www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/leginfo/elecdir10.pdf
For detailed information about the three branches of the Minnesota state government, go to www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govser/GOVSER9.pdf
To better understand legislative terms and definitions, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.asp?subject=18
To learn about how a bill becomes a law in Minnesota, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/howbill.asp
For additional detailed information about membership on committees, hearings, conference committees, and who can testify at hearings, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/faq/faqtoc.asp?subject=5
Source: Some of the initial content of this part of the guide was taken from various sections of the Minnesota State Legislature website. Modifications and customizations were made to reflect a Minnesota library focus.
