# Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn *American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019* Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (born 1986/1987) has held a seat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2019, after winning election in 2018.[^1] She sits as a member of the [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party]] (DFL). Her constituency is District 49B, in the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area. The district takes in Eden Prairie along with other portions of Hennepin County.[^1] In 2023 she was the author of the House version of H.F. 1, the Protect Reproductive Options Act (PRO Act). The House approved it on January 19, and [[governor]] [[Tim Walz]] signed it on January 31, 2023.[^4] Since 2021 she has been vice chair of the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.[^3] ## Early life, education, and career Kotyza-Witthuhn was raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in entrepreneurship from the University of St. Thomas.[^2] Her occupation is listed as operations analyst.[^2] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Her first House victory came in 2018, over Jenifer Loon, a Republican who had held the seat for five terms. Kotyza-Witthuhn has won each biennial election since.[^3] She has been vice chair of the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee since 2021. Her other committee seats are Children and Families Finance and Policy, Economic Development Finance and Policy, and Human Services Finance.[^3] ### Abortion Kotyza-Witthuhn supports abortion rights and criticized the overturning of *Roe v. Wade*. She was among the founding members of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus.[^4] The 2023 PRO Act she authored wrote into state law a "fundamental right" to "continue the pregnancy and give birth, or obtain an abortion".[^4] The act also covers rights to contraception, sterilization, family planning, and counseling. After House passage on January 19, it became law with Walz's signature on January 31, 2023.[^4] ### Education and child care She has spoken publicly about raising a young child while serving in the [[Legislature]]. She has also spoken about the value of remote work for legislators who have children at home.[^5] She authored legislation to increase funding for Parent Aware, a program that funds day care and early-learning providers.[^5] She has backed proposals to expand prenatal and early childhood education.[^5] ### Other political positions Kotyza-Witthuhn authored a bill to restore the angel tax credit program. The program grants tax breaks to investors who help launch businesses in [[Minnesota]].[^6] She also introduced a bill to prohibit nonessential PFAS chemicals in products made for children.[^6] ## Personal life She and her husband, Rory, are the parents of four children. Three of the children were adopted out of the foster care system.[^7] The family lives in Eden Prairie and worships at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Edina.[^7] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, a DFL member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 49B.[^1] - Jenifer Loon, a five-term Republican incumbent whom Kotyza-Witthuhn defeated in 2018.[^3] - Tim Walz, the governor who signed H.F. 1.[^4] ### What - H.F. 1, the Protect Reproductive Options Act, which Kotyza-Witthuhn authored in the House in 2023.[^4] - Legislation she authored to increase Parent Aware funding, and a bill she authored to reinstate the angel tax credit program.[^5][^6] ### When - Elected in 2018; serving since 2019.[^1] - Vice chair of the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee since 2021.[^3] - H.F. 1 passed the House on January 19, 2023, and was signed on January 31, 2023.[^4] ### Where - District 49B, including Eden Prairie and other parts of Hennepin County.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn* (revision 1369696528, retrieved 2026-10-26), lead section — birth year, party, District 49B, service since 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlie_Kotyza-Witthuhn [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn* (revision 1369696528, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Early life, education, and career" — upbringing, degree, occupation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlie_Kotyza-Witthuhn [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn* (revision 1369696528, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Minnesota House of Representatives" — 2018 election over Jenifer Loon, reelections, committee assignments. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlie_Kotyza-Witthuhn [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn* (revision 1369696528, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Abortion" — H.F. 1 authorship, text quoted, House passage January 19 and signature January 31, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlie_Kotyza-Witthuhn [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn* (revision 1369696528, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Education and child care" — remarks on remote work, Parent Aware legislation, early-education proposals. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlie_Kotyza-Witthuhn [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn* (revision 1369696528, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Other political positions" — angel tax credit bill, PFAS legislation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlie_Kotyza-Witthuhn [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn* (revision 1369696528, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Personal life" — family, residence, church. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlie_Kotyza-Witthuhn