# Minnesota Legislature *Bicameral legislature of the U.S. state of Minnesota* The Minnesota Legislature is Minnesota's two-chamber lawmaking body. It is made up of the [[Minnesota Senate]], with 67 seats, and a House of Representatives, with 134 seats, and its members face no term limits. It first sat in the old Territorial Capitol in Saint Paul, and its floor sessions are now held in the [[Minnesota State Capitol]].[^1] In the 94th Legislature (2025–2026), the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party holds 34 Senate seats, and the House is tied at 67 DFL and 67 Republican members.[^1][^2] CBS Minnesota reported a fight over the balance of power ahead of the session's opening.[^3] The Legislature's outputs in this record span eight decades. In 1943 it created the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which the Legislative Reference Library describes as "the first metropolitan agency created by the Legislature".[^4] In 1953 it made racial covenants in housing contracts illegal.[^5] The Fair Employment Practices Act followed in 1955.[^6] It created the Metropolitan Council in 1967.[^7] In 1971 it passed PELRA, now Minnesota Statutes chapter 179A.[^8] In 2009 it prohibited implementation of the federal REAL ID Act.[^9] In 2025, HF 1596 was introduced on the Metropolitan Council's officials.[^10] On January 14, 2026, the [[United States Department of Justice]] issued release No. 26-21, *United States Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota's 'Affirmative Action' Regime*. The title is the United States' own term for the State's apparatus. According to the release, Attorney General Pamela Bondi certified the case as a matter of general public importance.[^11] ## History Congress organized the [[Minnesota Territory]] on March 3, 1849. This followed a convention of settlers in [[Stillwater]] that petitioned for a new territory. Saint Paul became the territorial seat, and [[Alexander Ramsey]] was named the first territorial governor. The first territorial lawmaking body had a nine-member Territorial Council and an eighteen-member House.[^1] Wikipedia's history of the body records that the territory explicitly granted citizenship and political participation to Native persons of mixed ancestry. It also records that in 1851 the territorial legislature oversaw a major cession of Native land through treaties.[^1] ## Qualification and terms Each Senate district is divided into two House districts, labelled A and B. The state constitution bars a House district from lying in more than one Senate district. A legislator must be at least 21 and eligible to vote. A legislator must also have lived in Minnesota for at least a year, and in the district for at least six months, before the election. House members serve two-year terms. Senators are elected for four years in years ending in 2 and 6, and for two years in years ending in 0. The whole Senate stands for election each time.[^1] ## Legislative process Regular sessions open in January and must end by the first Monday after the third Saturday in May. They are capped at 120 legislative days in each two-year biennium. Since 2025, a legislative day has meant a day on which a bill passes third reading, a rule is adopted, or similar business such as a confirmation or veto override is completed.[^1] The governor may call special sessions. In a special session the Legislature may act only on matters in the governor's call, but no time limit applies. The longest special session ran from May to October 1971.[^1][^12] The state constitution sets several limits on legislation: - revenue bills must start in the House; - general banking laws need a two-thirds vote; - no bill may pass on a session's final day; - each bill must be confined to a single subject. The House elects a Speaker, and the Senate has elected its own President since 1972. Bills are drafted with the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.[^1] The Revisor maintains a legislative history database.[^13] The Legislative Reference Library holds session records and bills for the 1991–1999 sessions[^14] and an archive of governors' executive orders.[^15] ## Compensation For most of the state's history, statute fixed legislators' pay. A 2016 constitutional amendment moved that decision to a Legislative Salary Council, whose members are appointed by the governor and the chief justice. As of 2025, members of both houses are paid $51,750 a year, plus lodging reimbursement and per diems. Leadership posts may be paid more.[^1] ## Federal action against the State The Department of Justice's release No. 26-21, dated January 14, 2026, announces a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota under the title *United States Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota's 'Affirmative Action' Regime*. It records that Attorney General Pamela Bondi certified the case as a matter of general public importance.[^11] A validated project master describes the State's classification statute, [[§43A.191]], as "now in federal court". This record does not carry: - the complaint; - its docket number or current status; - the statutory text the complaint quotes; - a validated enactment date or enacting majority for § 43A.191. The article therefore states none of these.[^11] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL–New Hope) was the lead Senate author of the charter-school bill the Legislature debated in April 1991.[^16] - Inter-district open enrollment, enacted in 1986, was Rudy Perpich's proposal.[^17] - The number of women in the Legislature rose from 1 to 14 in 1973, following feminist caucus organizing.[^18] ### What **Metropolitan Council.** The [[Metropolitan Council (Minnesota)]] describes itself on its own history page as created by the Legislature in 1967 to "plan for the orderly and economical development of the seven-county metro area." The same page lists further steps: - the [[Metropolitan Transit Commission]] (1967); - the Metropolitan Sewer Board (1969); - regional parks and the Metro HRA (1974); - the [[Metropolitan Land Planning Act]] (1976).[^7] **HF 1596.** [[HF 1596]] was introduced in the 94th Legislature on February 25, 2025. It amends [[Minn. Stat. § 13.43]], subd. 2, to classify certain Council officials as "public officials" for complaint and disciplinary data purposes. It contains no amendment to § 473.123 on the Council's membership, terms, appointment or election.[^10] **Metropolitan Governance Task Force.** The [[Metropolitan Governance Task Force]] submitted a *Report to the Legislature* dated February 1, 2024.[^19] **Brayton v. Pawlenty.** The Office of the Revisor of Statutes' *Court Opinions Report to the Legislature* (November 15, 2010) summarizes [[Brayton v. Pawlenty]].[^20] **Single House Legislature.** Minnesota Planning's *Big Plan* results include a *Single House Legislature* item, which the Legislative Reference Library archives.[^21] ### When - 1943 — The Legislature created the Metropolitan Airports Commission under Laws ch. 500. The commission has 15 members: 13 appointed by the governor and two mayors serving ex officio.[^4] - 1953 — The Legislature made racial covenants in housing contracts illegal.[^5] - 1955 — The Legislature enacted the Fair Employment Practices Act (Ch. 516, Laws 1955).[^6] - 1967 — The Legislature created the Metropolitan Council.[^7] - 1971 — The Legislature passed PELRA, extending collective bargaining to public employees.[^8] - 1973 — Women's membership in the Legislature rose from 1 to 14.[^18] - November 7, 1978 — The DFL lost 32 state House seats, and a 67–67 split resulted.[^22] In the same election, both of Minnesota's [[United States Senate]] seats, the governorship and the Legislature changed hands.[^23] - 1986 — The Legislature enacted inter-district open enrollment.[^17] - June 1987 — The Legislature amended the Minnesota Human Rights Act to add disability protections, which widened the Department of Human Rights' jurisdiction.[^24] - April 1991 — The Legislature debated a charter-school bill (1991 Session Law, Chapter 265).[^16] - May 11, 2005 — The federal REAL ID Act (H.R. 418, 109th Congress) was signed into law.[^25] - 2009 — The Legislature prohibited implementation of REAL ID in Minnesota.[^9] - May 2017 — MinnPost reported that the Legislature ended funding for a one-person office that studied women in the workforce.[^26] - February 1, 2024 — The Metropolitan Governance Task Force reported to the Legislature.[^19] - February 25, 2025 — HF 1596 was introduced.[^10] ### How many The Council on Crime and Justice submitted its *Minnesota Statewide Racial Profiling Report to the Minnesota Legislature* in 2003.[^27] The report covered 65 participating jurisdictions, including the [[Dakota County Sheriff's Department]]. Its findings, as recorded in the pack: - Black drivers were stopped 213.84% above expected rates. - Black drivers were searched 154.69% above expected rates. - Contraband hit rates were 11% versus 24%. The report concluded that there was "a strong likelihood that racial/ethnic bias plays a role."[^27] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Minnesota Legislature* (rev. 1381035671, retrieved 2026-10-26) — composition, territorial history, qualifications, terms, session rules, compensation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Legislature [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *94th Minnesota Legislature* — 2025–2026 session. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/94th_Minnesota_Legislature [^3]: CBS Minnesota, *Minnesota legislature set for chaotic start as fight over balance of power intensifies* — reporting on the 2025 session opening. https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-legislature-chaotic-start-balance-power/ [^4]: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, *Metropolitan Airports Commission* agency record — created 1943, Laws ch. 500; membership. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/agencies/detail?AgencyID=848 [^5]: Minnesota Department of Human Rights, *Minnesota history video text* — 1953 law making racial covenants in housing contracts illegal. https://mn.gov/mdhr/news-community/videos/history-videos/mnhistory-videotext4.jsp [^6]: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, agency record — Fair Employment Practices Act, Ch. 516, Laws 1955. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/agencies/detail?AgencyID=2028 [^7]: Metropolitan Council, *History of the Metropolitan Council* (agency self-publication) — 1967 creation, stated purpose, later bodies and acts. https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/What-We-Do/History-of-the-Metropolitan-Council.aspx [^8]: Office of the Revisor of Statutes, *Minnesota Statutes chapter 179A* — Public Employment Labor Relations Act. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/179A [^9]: Office of the Revisor of Statutes, *2009 Minnesota Session Laws* — 2009 enactments, including the REAL ID prohibition. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2009/0/ [^10]: Office of the Revisor of Statutes, *HF 1596, 94th Legislature, as introduced* (Feb. 25, 2025) — amendment to Minn. Stat. § 13.43, subd. 2; no amendment to § 473.123. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/HF/1596/versions/0/ [^11]: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, *United States Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota's 'Affirmative Action' Regime*, release No. 26-21 (Jan. 14, 2026) — lawsuit announced; Attorney General's certification. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-department-justice-files-lawsuit-against-minnesotas-affirmative-action-regime [^12]: Minnesota Legislature, *Special Sessions* — listing of the Legislature's special sessions. https://www.leg.mn.gov/leg/special-sessions [^13]: Office of the Revisor of Statutes, *Legislative History Database* — session-law history. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/history [^14]: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, *Minnesota Legislature, 1991–1999* — session records and bills. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/leg/1991-1999 [^15]: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, *Executive Orders archive* — governors' executive orders. https://www.leg.mn.gov/archive/execorders/ [^16]: Office of the Revisor of Statutes, *1991 Session Law, Chapter 265* — 1991 charter-school legislation. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/1991/0/Session+Law/Chapter/265/ [^17]: Kappan Online, *Charter school path paved by choice, compromise, common sense* — 1986 inter-district open enrollment, Perpich's proposal. https://kappanonline.org/charter-school-path-paved-choice-compromise-common-sense-junge/ [^18]: MNopedia (via MinnPost), *The formation of the DFL Party Feminist Caucus* (March 2024) — women in the Legislature, 1 to 14 in 1973. https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2024/03/the-formation-of-the-dfl-party-feminist-caucus/ [^19]: Metropolitan Governance Task Force, *Report to the Legislature* (Feb. 1, 2024). https://www.lcc.mn.gov/mgtf/ [^20]: Office of the Revisor of Statutes, *Court Opinions Report to the Legislature* (Nov. 15, 2010) — summary of Brayton v. Pawlenty. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2010/mandated/101380.pdf [^21]: Minnesota Planning, *Big Plan Results — Single House Legislature* (archived by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library). https://www.leg.mn.gov/docs/pre2003/other/bigplan/shl/index.html [^22]: MNopedia, *Minnesota Massacre (1978 election)* — DFL loss of 32 House seats; 67–67 split. https://www.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/event/minnesota-massacre-1978-election [^23]: Star Tribune, *DFL's mishandling of 1976 Senate appointment led to party's 'Minnesota Massacre'* — 1978 results for both U.S. Senate seats, governor and Legislature. https://www.startribune.com/dfl-s-mishandling-of-1976-senate-appointment-led-to-party-s-minnesota-massacre [^24]: Office of the Revisor of Statutes, *Minnesota Statutes chapter 363A* (Human Rights Act) — statute text and history. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/363A [^25]: U.S. Congress, *H.R. 418, 109th Congress* (REAL ID Act) — signed May 11, 2005. https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/418 [^26]: MinnPost, *Legislature kills funding for one-woman office* (May 2017). https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2017/05/legislature-kills-funding-for-one-woman-office-studies-yes-women-in-the-workforce/ [^27]: Council on Crime and Justice, *Minnesota Statewide Racial Profiling Report to the Minnesota Legislature* (2003) — jurisdictions, stop and search disparities, hit rates, conclusion. https://static.prisonpolicy.org/scans/ccj/Racial%20Profiling%20Study.pdf