Minnesota Senate Full Strength, House Still Lacking Quorum to Convene

As the 2025 legislative session goes into its fourth week, things are still not functioning as they normally would at the State Capitol.

As the 2025 legislative session goes into its fourth week, things are still not functioning as they normally would at the State Capitol, and it’s unclear when the budget-setting legislative session will begin in earnest. The Senate will be fully seated by Feb. 3, but the special election to elect the 134^th member of the House has not been called.

Senate special election restores DFL majority

Due to the untimely passing of former Majority Leader Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) on Dec. 27, 2024, the Senate began the session with an even partisan split with 33 Republicans and 33 Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) members. A special election to fill Sen. Dziedzic’s seat was held Jan. 28, and as expected DFL candidate Doron Clark won. Sen. Clark was sworn in on Feb. 3, and the body again has a one-seat DFL majority.

Due to the partisan tie when session commenced, the Senate was operating under a power-sharing agreement that had DFLers and Republicans sharing control of leadership, including presiding over sessions and committees. The power-sharing agreement was terminated on a party-line vote on the same day Sen. Clark was sworn in.

Friction within the body continues over Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) who, as has been widely reported, is facing a trial on burglary charges stemming from an arrest in spring 2024. While her trial has been delayed from Jan. 27 to an undetermined date after the conclusion of the 2025 session, Republican members have questioned the appropriateness of her continuing to serve. An attempt to expel her from the body failed on a procedural ruling on Jan. 27. If the 2024 session is any indication, there will continue to be intermittent floor debates over Sen. Mitchell’s membership in the body initiated by Republican senators.

House in holding pattern

An initial 67-67 tie between House Republicans and DFLers was modified to a 67-66 split after a legal challenge over the residency of the DFL winner for District 40B (Roseville) led to the elected candidate being deemed ineligible to serve. As a result, the session began with 67 Republicans and 66 DFLers.

A special election to fill the District 40B seat was initially scheduled for Jan. 28, the same day as the Senate special election. However, on Jan. 17, a judge ruled that Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) had called the special election prematurely, postponing it to a yet-to-be-determined date. Absent the special election, the body will indefinitely be short one member.

The House remains in a holding pattern with DFL members staying away from the Capitol, denying the quorum the body needs to conduct business. They refuse to return until they have assurances of a power-sharing arrangement for the remainder of the biennium and an agreement that Republicans won’t vote to refuse to seat Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee) who won by 14 votes in a recount but faced a legal challenge over 20 absentee ballots being discarded. A judge ruled that Rep. Tabke is the winner of the race and may serve as the state representative for his district.  

Per the state’s constitution, Secretary of State Steve Simon (DFL) has been calling the body to order for scheduled floor sessions. He has promptly adjourned it each day after ruling the 67 Republicans present do not constitute the 68-member quorum needed to proceed. 

Earlier in session, prior to a Supreme Court ruling that 68 members are required for a quorum, Republicans had claimed 67 members constituted a majority of current members and therefore a quorum. They had been holding House Floor sessions and committee hearings. Upon the court ruling, they canceled hearings and ceased trying to process House business, including bill introductions, on the floor.

On Jan. 30, House Republicans filed a new lawsuit with the Supreme Court saying Secretary Simon has overstepped his authority by not allowing them to make motions on the House Floor to compel DFLers to return to the Capitol. The disposition of this litigation has not been decided.

No deadlines, but breaks approved

Although committee deadlines to keep the budget-setting session on track have not been set by caucus leaders, they did release dates for legislative breaks. Eid break will occur March 29 and 30. The Easter/Passover break will begin on April 11 at 12 p.m., and the Legislature will be in recess through Monday, April 21 at 12 p.m.

League intergovernmental relations (IGR) team continues advocating for cities

The League’s IGR team is actively participating in proceedings at the Capitol. Staff is meeting with caucus leaders, committee chairs and other legislators in both bodies, and is testifying in Senate hearings. The team will continue to have a presence at the Capitol and is advocating for the interests of cities with stakeholders.

Read more news articles.