MUCA Legislative Update January 13, 2021

Troy Olsen, MUCA Lobbyist, [email protected] 2021 Legislative Session

The 2021 legislative session began last week. Both the House and Senate floor sessions include a hybrid of very few legislators attending in person and most attending via technology from remote locations. The House and Senate will operate fully remote for committee hearings with the Senate hoping to transition to a hybrid hearing model later in session.

Both bodies have implemented technology that supports secure remote voting during floor sessions for efficiency. Prior to these new systems, a vocal roll call had to be held every time a vote was taken, with each individual legislator responding “aye”, “nay” or “pass”. These votes took approximately 10-15 minutes each to complete in the House, where there are 134 members. The new voting systems will allow members to vote immediately, which is how the Legislature functioned pre-COVID-19 when all members were physically in the chambers.

There are no changes in leadership from the last biennium to this biennium. All existing leaders were re-elected by their bodies. 2021-2022 biennium leadership will include: • House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) • House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) • House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) • Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) • Senate President Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) • Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury)

Expect legislative committees to get off to a slow start during the first few weeks of session. Traditionally, the first few weeks are used to provide overview and educate new legislators and staff.

If you are interested in following the action at the Capitol, you will find these links useful: • Committee and floor session schedule • Senate and House membership list • Senate and House committee lists • Bill Introductions for the House and Senate • Who represents me?