House MN
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
Week in Review: March 18-22 (3/22/2019 2:43:00 PM) House OKs using leashed dogs to help hunters find wounded game (3/21/2019 6:05:38 PM) House passes bill that would change legal definition of sexual harassment (3/21/2019 5:43:00 PM) Walz transportation plan -- and its gas tax hike -- sets up debate over how to fund state's road, transit needs (3/21/2019 5:14:00 PM) Bill would help buses dump the diesel and go electric (3/21/2019 4:59:00 PM) House panel approves 'more inclusive' firefighter licensing regulations (3/21/2019 3:45:07 PM) Need help with your taxes? Bill would expand free preparation services (3/21/2019 3:15:55 PM) Expiring School Readiness Plus program could be made permanent (3/21/2019 3:11:37 PM) Safety net for grain producers proposed following elevator fraud (3/21/2019 2:35:07 PM) Minnesota Zoo seeks $25 million for infrastructure, exhibit updates (3/21/2019 12:35:47 PM) Bill aims to ensure 911 dispatchers can give CPR instructions or transfer to someone who can (3/21/2019 12:16:43 PM)
Photography
This week's slideshow,
photo gallery and
Capitol area images
Live Video
Event Schedule
No programming
Friday, March 22 2019 8:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
No programming
House Ways and Means Committee - part 1
Monday, March 25 2019 9:45 AM
Watch: Live Event
HF1733 (Poppe) Omnibus Agriculture and Food Policy bill.
HF1974 (Nelson) Outdated budget-related language updated and deleted, and technical changes made.
HF1975 (Nelson) State solicitation process best and final offer modified.
HF810 (Heinrich) World War I Minnesota veterans plaque authorized to be placed in Capitol grounds court of honor.
HF492 (Dettmer) Traffic violations that cause great bodily harm or death to another misdemeanor established.
* Bills may be added.
* The Committee will meet during the regular morning meeting time to consider bills on the agenda and then recess; it will reconvene one hour after the House Floor Session adjourns to take up the House Budget Resolution.
House Property and Local Tax Division
Monday, March 25 2019 12:45 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF2646 (Xiong, T.) Property tax deadlines modified.
HF2650 (Marquart) Public finance; section governing bonds, drainage lien interest, school and private activity bonds notice requirements, transportation bonds, and municipal bankruptcy modified.
HF1468 (Davids) State agricultural society outstanding debt allowed maximum increased, and state fair purposes debt issuance authority sunset repealed.
HF2387 (Murphy) Public Employees Retirement Association increased employer contributions funding from state aid to local governments extended.
HF2620 (Drazkowski) Charitable farmland property tax exemption established.
HF2612 (Loeffler) Local sales and use taxes imposition requirements amended.
HF121 (Hertaus) Land use for environmental benefits defined as an agricultural purpose.
HF398 (Poppe) Agricultural homestead rules for trust-owned properties modified, service and filing of defense or objection to real and personal property taxes provisions modified.
Minnesota House Press Conference
Monday, March 25 2019 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park), Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley), Representative Liz Olson (DFL-Duluth), Representative Lyndon Carlson (DFL-Crystal) and Representative Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth) will hold a press conference announce committee budget targets.
Session Daily Update
Monday, March 25 2019 3:25 PM
Watch: Live Event
Session Daily Update
House Floor Session
Monday, March 25 2019 3:30 PM
Watch: Live Event
CALENDAR FOR THE DAY.
HF85 (Brand) Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board required to propose guidelines authorizing patient-assisted medication administration in emergencies.
House Ways and Means Committee - part 2*
Monday, March 25 2019 5:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
* Committee will reconvene one hour after House Floor Sessions adjourns .
House Budget Resolution.
APRIL 3: State of the State Address by Governor Tim Walz
Wednesday, April 3 2019 7:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Governor Tim Walz will deliver his first State of the State Address before a Joint Convention of the House and Senate from the House Chamber in the State Capitol.
News and Notes
The 2019 Legislature must end by May 20.
Easter/Passover break
The 2019 Easter/Passover break will begin Saturday, April 13, and go through Monday, April 22. Legislative activity may resume at 8 a.m. April 23.
Committee deadlines for 2019
- Friday, March 15 — Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin.
- Friday, March 29 — Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body.
- Friday, April 12 — Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.
Bill Introductions: HF2638-2675
Did you know?
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Minnesota is the only state with a divided legislature in the 2019-20 biennium. The last time there was only one divided state legislature in the country was 1914.
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