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Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota House of Representatives

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

Education panel considers greater protections for hourly school workers (4/7/2020 7:34:51 PM)
House passes workers’ comp changes for health care workers, first responders with COVID-19 (4/7/2020 3:07:00 PM)
Bill aims to help state limit coronavirus danger to Minnesota's inmates (4/6/2020 6:06:00 PM)
State of the State: Walz urges Minnesotans to stick together during troubling time (4/5/2020 9:10:00 PM)
Remote rules meeting a likely preview for things to come (4/1/2020 4:33:00 PM)
Legislation aimed at disposable wipes could aid state's stressed sewers (3/31/2020 11:43:00 AM)
House lawmakers OK $330 million in measures taking aim at pandemic's impact (3/26/2020 4:13:00 PM)
House, Senate plan to act on more COVID-19 proposals Thursday (3/24/2020 5:41:00 PM)
House working on proposals to address COVID-19 pandemic (3/20/2020 11:34:00 AM)
COVID-19: What's been done, is being done and could be done by House (3/18/2020 12:43:00 PM)
House, Senate pass $200 million for health care providers in fight against COVID-19 (3/17/2020 3:16:00 AM)

  • More news

    • Photography

    This week's slideshow,
    photo gallery and
    Capitol area images

    Live Video


    Event Schedule

    House Taxes Committee (Remote Hearing)
    Wednesday, April 8 2020 8:30 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    Also available on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo/ .
    • This meeting will be held in accordance with House Rule 10.01 •.
    Agenda:.
    Brief overview of tax changes with state implications in federal CARES Act with state implications.
    COVID-19 response legislation:.
    DE Amendment for HF2693 (Marquart).
    - This is a vehicle bill; DE language posted on committee's website: ”Pertaining to liquor posting; allowing the commissioner discretion in posting certain taxpayers affected by an executive closure order”.
    Bills may be added.
    Documents associated with this remote hearing will be posted to the committee’s website; the public will receive notice of additions and updates to the agenda for review prior to the hearing.
    Public testimony information:.
    If you are interested in testifying, please email the committee administrator at least one hour prior to the meeting to get instructions: nathan.jesson@house.mn.
    • The Minnesota House of Representatives is currently working on establishing the processes and technology that allow remote hearings to be held that are accessible to the public; we expect many refinements to come over the coming weeks; thank you for your patience as we adapt.

    House Subcommittee on Elections (Remote Hearing)
    Wednesday, April 8 2020 9:45 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    • This meeting will be held in accordance with House Rule 10.01 •.
    Agenda: COVID-19 response legislation.
    Informational hearing: (Dehn) A bill for an act relating to elections; authorizing the secretary of state to issue emergency orders related to the conduct of an election during certain peacetime emergencies; appropriating money from the Help America Vote Act account; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204B.
    Bills may be added or removed from the agenda.
    Public testimony information:.
    TESTIFYING:.
    Testimony will be limited, please plan accordingly.
    If you would like to testify, please email the committee administrator (amanda.rudolph@house.mn) at least 2 hours before the start of the meeting and you will receive information on how to participate.
    HANDOUTS:.
    Handouts must be in PDF format and emailed by 3pm the day before the meeting to the committee administrator.
    • The Minnesota House of Representatives is currently working on establishing the processes and technology that allow remote hearings to be held that are accessible to the public; we expect many refinements to come over the coming weeks; thank you for your patience as we adapt.

    House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division (Remote Hearing)
    Wednesday, April 8 2020 9:45 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    Also available on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo/ .
    • This meeting will be held in accordance with House Rule 10.01 •.
    Agenda: COVID-19 response legislation.
    a) DE amendment for HF1197 (Lesch).
    - This is a vehicle bill; DE language posted on division website: pertaining to suspension of statutory deadlines in District and Appellate Courts.
    b) DE amendment for HF1196 (Lesch).
    - This is a vehicle bill; DE language posted on division website: Harmless Error exception for Wills and writings executed during peacetime emergency.
    c) DE amendment for HF798 (Moller).
    - This is a vehicle bill; DE language posted on division website: extension of time for motions to contest COLA increases for child support obligors.
    d) SC7486: Public Health Emergency; Marriage License Application and Oath Without Appearance.
    Bills may be added.
    Documents associated with this remote hearing will be posted to the division’s website; the public will receive notice of additions and updates to the agenda.
    Public testimony Information:.
    If you are interested in testifying, please email the committee administrator and copy the committee legislative assistant at least one hour prior to the meeting to get instructions:.
    CA: Rachel.Ganani@house.mn.
    CLA: Jenna.Maus@house.mn.
    • The Minnesota House of Representatives is currently working on establishing the processes and technology that allow remote hearings to be held that are accessible to the public; we expect many refinements to come over the coming weeks; thank you for your patience as we adapt.

    House Transportation Finance and Policy Division (Remote Hearing)
    Wednesday, April 8 2020 12:45 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    Also available on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo/ .
    • This meeting will be held in accordance with House Rule 10.01 •.
    Agenda: COVID-19 response legislation.
    Testimony from the Department of Public Safety.
    DE amendment for HF1447 (Tabke).
    - This is a vehicle bill; DE language will be posted to accompany this bill as soon as it is available.
    Additional testimony.
    Documents associated with this remote hearing will be posted to the committee web page; the public will receive notice of additions and updates to the agenda for review prior to the hearing.
    Public testimony information:.
    If you are interested in testifying at this meeting, please email the committee administrator and copy the committee legislative assistant prior to the meeting to get instructions:.
    - Committee Administrator: john.howe@house.mn.
    - Committee Legislative Assistant: dan.dodge@house.mn.
    • The Minnesota House of Representatives is currently working on establishing the processes and technology that allow remote hearings to be held that are accessible to the public; we expect many refinements to come over the coming weeks; thank you for your patience as we adapt.

    House Education Policy Committee (Remote Hearing)
    Wednesday, April 8 2020 2:30 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    Also available on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo/ .
    • This meeting will be held in accordance with House Rule 10.01 •.
    Agenda:.
    Overview of the Remote Hearing Process.
    COVID-19 response legislation:.
    HF4415 (Davnie).
    - Please see the DE10 on the committee's website (note the DE9 amendment has been removed from the agenda).
    Agenda items may be added.
    Public testimony instructions:.
    - If you are interested in testifying at this hearing or have feedback you would like to share, please email the committee administrator at alyssa.fritz@house.mn.
    - If you wish to testify, please contact committee staff by 10am the day of the remote hearing to receive instructions.
    • The Minnesota House of Representatives is currently working on establishing the processes and technology that allow remote hearings to be held that are accessible to the public; we expect many refinements to come over the coming weeks; thank you for your patience as we adapt.

    House Government Operations Committee (Remote Hearing)
    Wednesday, April 8 2020 2:30 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    • This meeting will be held in accordance with House Rule 10.01 •.
    Agenda:.
    HF4507 (Koegel) Open Meeting Law; interactive television attendance requirements modified.
    sc7479 -4 (Freiberg) A bill for an act relating to local government; authorizing counties, cities, and townships to accept documents or signatures electronically, by mail, or facsimile (Informational).
    Bills may be added or removed from the agenda.
    Public testimony information:.
    TESTIFYING:.
    - Testimony will be limited; please plan accordingly.
    - If you would like to testify, please email the committee administrator (amanda.rudolph@house.mn) at least 2 hours before the start of the meeting and you will receive information on how to participate.
    HANDOUTS:.
    - Handouts must be in PDF format and emailed by 3pm the day before the meeting to the committee administrator.
    • The Minnesota House of Representatives is currently working on establishing the processes and technology that allow remote hearings to be held that are accessible to the public; we expect many refinements to come over the coming weeks; thank you for your patience as we adapt.

    APRIL 13: House Ways and Means Committee (Remote Hearing)
    Monday, April 13 2020 2:45 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    Also available on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo/ .
    • This meeting will be held in accordance with House Rule 10.01 •.
    Agenda:.
    Presentation by Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans and State Economist Doctor Laura Kalambokidis.
    - Quarterly economic eutlook.
    - Update on COVID-19 related federal funding.
    Documents associated with this hearing will be posted on the committee website.
    • The Minnesota House of Representatives is currently working on establishing the processes and technology that allow remote hearings to be held that are accessible to the public; we expect many refinements to come over the coming weeks; thank you for your patience as we adapt.

    APRIL 14: Session Daily Update
    Tuesday, April 14 2020 11:55 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    Updates from the House.

    APRIL 14: House Floor Session
    Tuesday, April 14 2020 12:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    Also available on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo/ .
    The House of Representatives has adjourned until April 14, 2020 at noon, or until a time and date determined pursuant to HC5 (Winkler/Gazelka): A House concurrent resolution relating to adjournment of the legislature until the public interest warrants it.

    News and Notes

    Bill Introductions: HF4532-HF4537

    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.

    Not running again

    The following members have announced they will not seek re-election to the House in 2020: Rep. Hunter Cantrell (DFL-Savage), Rep. Lyndon Carlson Sr. (DFL-Crystal), Rep. Jack Considine Jr. (DFL-Mankato), Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau), Rep. Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont), Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL-New Brighton), Rep. Ben Lien (DFL-Moorhead), Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul), Rep. Alice Mann (DFL-Lakeville), Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls), Rep. Duane Sauke (DFL-Rochester), Rep. Bob Vogel (R-Elko New Market) and Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls).

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    Resources

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