Minnesota Legislature
About the House Public Information Services Office
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 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:
- House member "official" and candid photographs
- Photographs of members with constituents who come to the State Capitol
- 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:
- Legislative directories and rosters of elected officials
- Session Daily-electronic alerts when news from the House warrants
- Alerts through Facebook and Twitter when news from the House warrants
- 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:
- Live and taped unedited coverage of floor sessions and select committee hearings
- Coverage of issue-oriented press conferences and special events
- Video interviews with House members
- Broadcast, cable, mobile and Internet delivery of all programming
- Educational programming available on-demand
- 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
House 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
Session Daily
Hortman: 'Very difficult to finish on time' as end of 2021 session nears (5/12/2021 5:10:00 PM) Tax Day, legislative adjournment converge in PPP and unemployment debate (5/12/2021 4:20:00 PM) Tax panel talks possible uses for state’s $2.8 billion federal windfall (5/11/2021 5:58:00 PM) House OKs bill offering conditional release to inmates who give birth (5/10/2021 6:53:00 PM) Lengthy list of to-do's at Legislature with week left before adjournment (5/10/2021 2:30:00 PM) Week in Review: May 3-7 (5/7/2021 6:05:21 PM) Omnibus pension and retirement bill gains committee approval (5/7/2021 2:34:00 PM) Bill to create alternative to custody warrants passes House (5/6/2021 7:47:00 PM) Police reform proposals get lukewarm Senate response in conference committee (5/6/2021 5:38:00 PM) Money matches up in House, Senate Legacy bills — but not where to spend it (5/5/2021 5:09:00 PM) Lawmakers get to work on crafting compromise HHS budget bill (5/5/2021 4:50:00 PM)
Photography
This week's slideshow,
photo gallery and
Capitol area images
Live Video
Event Schedule
Conference Committee on SF959 (Hansen/Ingebrigtsen) Omnibus environment and natural resources policy and finance bill
Thursday, May 13 2021 5/13/2021 9:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
SF959 (Hansen/Ingebrigtsen) Omnibus environment and natural resources policy and finance bill.
Review of House offer.
Discussion on the Minnesota Zoo and other various provisions.
Conference Committee on SF958 (Sundin/Westrom) Omnibus agriculture and broadband finance bill (Start time is now 11 a.m., or at the call of the Chair)
Thursday, May 13 2021 5/13/2021 11:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
(Start time is now 11 a.m., or at the call of the Chair).
SF958 (Sundin/Westrom) Omnibus agriculture and broadband finance bill.
Adoption of compromise language.
Conference Committee on SF970 (Mariani/Limmer) Omnibus judiciary and public safety policy and finance bill
Thursday, May 13 2021 5/13/2021 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
SF970 (Mariani/Limmer) Omnibus judiciary and public safety policy and finance bill.
Further discussion of House position.
Conference Committee on SF975 (Bernardy/Tomassoni) Omnibus higher education policy and finance bill
Thursday, May 13 2021 5/13/2021 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
SF975 (Bernardy/Tomassoni) Omnibus higher education policy and finance bill.
Update on American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding.
*Agenda items may be added or removed.
House Floor Session
Thursday, May 13 2021 5/13/2021 4:30 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF600 (Winkler) Omnibus cannabis bill.
FRIDAY: House Floor Session*
Friday, May 14 2021 5/14/2021 4:30 PM
Watch: Live Event
*The time of convening has not yet been set.
HF809 (Huot) Identity theft crime technical change made.
SF1284 (Davnie) Checking account requirements modified.
SF1807 (Hollins) Mortgage and deed of trust temporary exception sunset extended.
SF443 (Edelson) Registered predatory offender status disclosure required to hospice provider.
SF1091 (Haley) Lake City; port authority commission establishment permitted.
SATURDAY: House Redistricting Committee
Saturday, May 15 2021 5/15/2021 8:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
Introductions.
Introductory overview of redistricting and timelines:.
- Matt Gehring, House Research.
Discussion of moving forward - interim activity.
SATURDAY: House Floor Session*
Saturday, May 15 2021 5/15/2021 10:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
*The time of convening has not yet been set.
SF1712 (Nelson, M.) Omnibus pension and retirement bill.
HF2360 (Murphy) Department of Corrections claim settlement provided, and money appropriated.
HF1671 (Nelson, M.) County competitive bidding modified.
SF1047 (Hansen) Electric cogeneration activity power purchase agreement authorized.
SF1354 (Winkler) Modifying requirements for a noncompliant driver's license or Minnesota identification card and making related changes, including on eligibility, proof of lawful presence, documentation, and data practices.
News and Notes
Bill Introductions: HF2617-HF2622
COVID-19 information
The Minnesota House of Representatives has created a web page dedicated to information about the COVID-19 pandemic, including links for resources.
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Resources
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