The Three Branches of Minnesota State Government SOTA S NE TA N T I E M G

egislative Branch: The Lawmakers S O E V I Bicameral Legislature: Minnesota House of Representatives and E 9 R R E Minnesota Senate. N M E N T S L Judicial House of Representatives and Senate • judge election qualification of members Three Members: • can expel members 134 representatives, one from each • House can impeach members of the House district; 67 senators, one from each executive and judicial branches Senate district (there are two House dis- Branches • Senate can convict and remove members tricts within each Senate district) of the executive and judicial branches after House impeachment Terms: two years for House members; four Speaker of the House; Chair of Senate Rules and years for senators (in years ending in "0," Other Administration Committee senators are elected to a two-year term) • respond to the needs and • designates number, function, chairs concerns of constituents and members of committees Requirements: • elect regents to the University of • designates number of committee members • qualified to vote in Minnesota Minnesota the minority appoints • at least 21 years old • Senate confirms governor’s • Minnesota resident — one year agency head appointments 1 Standing committees • district resident — six months before • study and research bills election Organization: • hear public testimony on bills Each body • make recommendations to the full Responsibilities: • begins regular session every odd- House and the full Senate Legislative numbered year in January and meets • introduce and study ideas (bills) for laws (all beginning usually in February each even- Conference committees revenue-raising bills begin in the House) numbered year • resolve differences when the House and • serve on standing committees • may meet for up to 120 legislative days Senate pass different versions of a bill • pass state laws (all bills must pass both during the biennium, but not after the first • consist of three or five members of each the House and the Senate) Monday following the third Saturday in body • pass the state’s biennial (two-year) May budget • organizes on the basis of majority • can override governor’s veto (requires and minority caucuses two-thirds vote in both House and Senate) • elects a member as presiding officer (speaker of the House; president of the Senate)

Legislative xecutive Branch: The Administrators • inform Legislature of condition of the state Five Constitutional Officers: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, • propose a state budget • review bills the Legislature passes — Secretary of State, State Auditor, Attorney General. approve (sign) or reject (veto) E • can call emergency legislative sessions Governor Responsibilities: Judicial Term: four years Executive • appoint judges to fill vacancies in • administer laws and affairs of the state district, appellate and supreme courts Requirements: • appoint heads of departments and agencies • can issue pardons and reprieves, restore • qualified to vote in Minnesota • act as commander-in-chief of state mili- civil rights to felons • at least 25 years old tary forces • Minnesota resident — one year2 Lieutenant Governor Responsibilities: Requirements: • act as chief election official • qualified to vote in Minnesota Term: four years (voters elect as team with • certify official documents, governor’s • at least 21 years old governor) executive orders, laws the Legislature Requirements: passes Responsibilities: • provide legal services to state government • qualified to vote in Minnesota • regulate Minnesota businesses • represent the state in court cases • at least 25 years old • act as custodian of official records • enforce laws concerning charitable • Minnesota resident — one year organizations State Auditor • protect public rights Responsibilities: Term: four years • represent governor State Departments and Agencies • assume governor’s responsibilities in gov- Requirements: ernor’s absence or if a vacancy occurs • qualified to vote in Minnesota Departments • assume duties governor assigns • at least 21 years old • 24 executive departments • governor appoints the head Responsibilities: (commissioner) of each department Secretary of State • collect, check and standardize financial Term: four years information from local units of government Agencies • investigate audit reports • independent, separate from departments Requirements: • governor appoints portions of membership • qualified to vote in Minnesota • example: Minnesota Zoological Garden • at least 21 years old Attorney General Term: four years Semi-State Agencies • separate from departments and agencies • not under direct appointive control of the governor

udicial Branch: The Judges Conciliation Court Three Levels of Courts: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Members: District Court. One conciliation court in each county — District Court judges serve as JSupreme Court Requirements: conciliation court judges except in Henne- Members: • licensed to practice law in Minnesota pin and Ramsey counties where assigned • qualified to vote in Minnesota attorneys serve as referees One chief justice and six associate • at least 21 years old justices (total seven judges) Requirements: Responsibilities: Term: six years • licensed to practice law in Minnesota • hear appeals on decisions from lower courts • qualified to vote in Minnesota Requirements: • hear appeals from administrative agencies • at least 21 years old • hear appeals from commissioner of • licensed to practice law in Minnesota Employment and Economic Development • qualified to vote in Minnesota Responsibilities: • at least 21 years old • hear only civil claims of damages up to $15,000 (except for disputes over District Court consumer credit transactions, which Responsibilities: Members: • hear appeals on decisions from the Court must be less than $4,000 to be heard in Ten judicial districts, each of Appeals, Workers’ Compensation conciliation court) with several judges (295 judges Court of Appeals, Tax Court and total across the state) persons convicted of first-degree murder Judicial Boards and • hear constitutionality cases Term: six years • interpret the law and constitution Advisory Committees • regulate all courts in the state Requirements: 3 • Supreme Court and/or governor • recommend improvements of the judicial appoints members • licensed to practice law in Minnesota system • advise courts • qualified to vote in Minnesota • oversee law practice and judicial planning • consists of lawyers, administrators, • at least 21 years old legislators, judges, lay members Court of Appeals Responsibilities: Members: • hear criminal cases twitter.com/MNHouseInfo • hear public policy issues, civil cases One chief judge, 18 associate judges www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo (total 19 judges) • hear juvenile, family, probate and traffic cases www.youtube.com/user/MNHouseInfo Term: six years

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