Mission Statement
The mission of Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services
department is to provide credible and timely nonpartisan services that inform
the general public of legislative actions, educate the public about the
legislative process, and encourage public participation in the Minnesota
Legislature.
About the department
We meet our mission by providing services
in four main areas: Information and Outreach, Photography, Publications and
Television.
Information and Outreach
House Public Information Services serves
as the general information contact point for the House of Representatives.
Answers to hundreds of questions are provided weekly to the public, such as who
their representatives are, what district they live in, when and where
legislative meetings are held, the status of bills and where to find how members
voted on specific legislation.
Services include:
Workshops and presentations to organizations regarding the House
Schedules of committee hearings and floor sessions
A committee call line with recorded committee schedules
A House of Representatives booth at the Minnesota State Fair
Educational materials about the Legislature and the legislative process
Photography
House Public Information Services
photographers document House activities, including floor sessions, committee
hearings, press conferences and special events. They accept assignments from
House political caucuses, staff and other departments. Services provided by the
photographers include:
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House member "official" and candid photographs
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Photographs of members with constituents who come to the State Capitol, and
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Photographs for a variety of printed and online publications
Publications
Publication staff produces a variety of
publications for all ages that cover issues before the Legislature; provide
education about the legislative process; and offer information for those who
want to participate in the process. Some of the publications produced include:
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Legislative directories and rosters of elected officials
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Session Weekly newsmagazine
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Session Daily-electronic alerts when news from the House warrants
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Alerts through Facebook and Twitter when news from the House warrants
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Nonpartisan news releases regarding new laws and other general House information
Television
Television staff provides video coverage
of select House activities. Streaming online is an important way for residents
to access live video of significant happenings at the House. Services provided
include:
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Live and taped unedited coverage of floor sessions and select committee hearings
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Coverage of issue-oriented press conferences and special events
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Video interviews with House members
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Broadcast, cablecast and Internet delivery of all programming
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Educational programming available on-demand
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Access to video archives
House Public Information Services seeks to serve as an informational resource
for the public, legislators and staff.
Nonpartisan Code of Ethics
Public Information Services staff are
public servants and have obligations and responsibilities to the general public,
legislators and fellow staff members. Responsibilities are expected to be
performed with the highest level of integrity and honesty.
House Public Information Services staff should be mindful that the public views
them as representatives of the Legislature as an institution. In keeping with
their responsibility to build and uphold the public's trust, staff should
provide accurate, useful and timely information.
House Public Information Services staff should always be vigilant to avoid any
conflicts of interest that may interfere with the work of the institution or be
contrary to the nonpartisan mission of the department. (The following are
examples of conduct that could impair a staff member's nonpartisan status:
serving as a campaign official for a candidate for partisan political office,
writing a letter to the editor in support of or in opposition to a candidate for
partisan political office, acting as a spokesperson for a special interest group
or performing freelance work in partisan political activities.)
Because of the position of responsibility, House Public Information Services
staff are expected to uphold the law and all applicable regulations. Resources
should always be used for the public good, not private gain.
This code is intended to supplement existing policies under which House staff
members are employed. These guidelines do not constitute any legal obligation.
These guidelines are subject to periodic review by the House Public Information
Services director.
Adapted from National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and NCSL
Legislative Information and Communications Staff guidelines
