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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

With call for funds to help rebuild damaged neighborhoods, Walz bonding plan meets resistance from House GOPers (3/2/2021 5:01:00 PM)
More relatives could provide foster care under proposed reforms (3/2/2021 2:44:00 PM)
With state's supply of affordable housing low, lawmakers look to boost MN homebuyers (3/2/2021 2:16:35 PM)
Proposal would limit youngest learners’ device usage (3/2/2021 2:02:00 PM)
Held over bill aims to provide lawyers to public housing tenants facing evictions (3/2/2021 11:10:00 AM)
House panel approves bill that aims to review state tax activity effectiveness, fiscal impact (3/2/2021 10:39:34 AM)
Bill banning perc, prioritizing dry cleaners for cleanup funds clears House (3/1/2021 5:49:35 PM)
Education committee considers changes to the teacher licensure system (3/1/2021 5:34:44 PM)
Benefits extension sought for school bus drivers, other hourly school workers (3/1/2021 5:21:00 PM)
Dangers of skin-lightening creams could be highlighted by grant program (3/1/2021 4:46:00 PM)
Board of Animal Health could be restructured after CWD criticism (3/1/2021 4:37:00 PM)

  • More news

    • Photography

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

    Live Video


    Event Schedule

    House State Government Finance and Elections Committee - part 2
    Tuesday, March 2 2021 3/2/2021 5:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF1200 (Richardson) Paid family, pregnancy, bonding, and applicant's serious medical condition benefits provided; employment leaves regulated and required; data classified; rulemaking authorized; and money appropriated.
    *Agenda items may be added or removed.


    House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee - part 2
    Tuesday, March 2 2021 3/2/2021 5:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF399 (Her) Landlords prohibited fees expanded, and landlord entry restricted and improper entry fees amended.
    HF400 (Her) Termination of lease upon infirmity of tenant established.
    HF835 (Her) Eviction due to nonpayment of rent notice requirements created, eviction case court file discretionary and mandatory eligibility expanded, rental discrimination prohibited based on tenant's public housing assistance receipt, and pending eviction case court action public access limited (pending referral).


    House Local Government Division
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 8:30 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF702 (Becker-Finn) Cities and towns allowed to require additional licensing for hotels.
    HF1359 (Freiberg) Towns and political subdivision authorized to established inflow and infiltration prevention programs and make loans or grants to property owners.
    HF1350 (Boldon) Cities of the first class authority provided to impose ordinances on land or fee dedication on permit applications.
    HF1565 (Elkins) Municipality authorized to establish street improvement district.
    *Bills may be added.


    House Legacy Finance Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 8:30 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF913 (Frederick) County fair funding provided, and money appropriated.
    HF1166 (Wazlawik) Water safety grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
    HFXXXX (Hollins) Appropriating money for the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
    HF328 (Urdahl) Litchfield Opera House funding provided, and money appropriated.
    *Bills may be added to the agenda.


    House Behavioral Health Policy Division
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 8:30 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF1390 (Bierman) Community behavioral health clinic provisions modified, advisory working group established, rulemaking authorized, and report required.
    HF1102 (Hanson) Home and community-based waiver assessment requirements modified for people temporarily entering health care facilities.
    HF1532 (Frederick) Human services community supports provisions modified.
    HF1495 (Fischer) Mental health uniform service standards.


    House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee - part 1
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 10:30 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    *If the committee is unable to complete the entire agenda by 12pm, the committee will recess and reconvene at 6pm.
    HF980 (Becker-Finn) Child support and arrears provisions modified.
    HF1436 (Hanson) Child support provisions modified.
    HF1435 (Hanson) Children and family custody provisions modified.
    HF601 (Her) Housing support modified.
    HF1305 (Rasmusson) Medical assistance reimbursement rate methodology modified for crisis stabilization services in residential settings.
    HF1559 (Rasmusson) Adoption provisions modified, safe place for newborn provisions added, child welfare program provisions modified, and Northstar kinship assistance provisions modified.
    *Agenda items may be added.


    House Preventive Health Policy Division
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 10:30 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF313 (Lee) Alzheimer's public information program established, and money appropriated.
    HF938 (Lee) Child blood lead level reduction goal established, and commissioner of health annual public report issuance required.
    *Bills may be taken in any order.
    *Agenda items may be added or removed.


    House Preventing Homelessness Division
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 10:30 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    HFXXXX (Gomez) Establishing local homeless prevention aid for families with children.
    *Agenda items may be added or removed.


    House Education Finance Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 10:30 AM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF486 (Feist) Suicide prevention training for teachers funding provided, and money appropriated.
    HF1057 (Bennett) Prekindergarten through grade 12 education program legislative grant evidence-based standard established, and report required.
    *Items may be added.


    House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 1:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    Presentation by University of Minnesota on Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Tech Transfer program.
    HF661 (Klevorn) University of Minnesota Forever Green Agriculture Initiative funding provided, and money appropriated.
    HF1680 (Marquart) Northern Crops Institute grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
    HF1805 (Ecklund) Minnesota Turf Seed Council grant funding provided, report required, and money appropriated.
    *Bills may be added.


    House Taxes Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 1:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF1201 (Lippert) Prepared food exempted in nonprofit food programs.
    HF1334 (Her) Saint Paul water treatment facility provided an exemption for construction materials.
    HF1503 (Davids) Construction exemption provided for public safety facilities.


    House Education Policy Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 1:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF951 (Richardson) Dismissal of students in kindergarten through grade 3 prohibited.
    HF1408 (Becker-Finn) Interpreter requirements modified.
    HF1617 (Hassan) Online personal finance class required for high school graduation.
    HF1712 (Keeler) World's best workforce performance measure modified.
    *Bills may be taken in any order.
    *Bills may be added pending introduction and referral.
    *Agenda items may be added or removed.


    House Workforce and Business Development Finance and Policy Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 1:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF819 (Koegel) Redevelopment grant and demolition loans, Minnesota investment fund, and job creation fund funding provided; and money appropriated.
    HF600 (Winkler) Cannabis; Cannabis Management Board and advisory councils established; use and sale reports required; adult use and possession limited and legalized; business licensing, inspection, and regulation provided; testing and labeling of cannabis and related products required; advertisement limited; private residence cultivation provided; regulatory authority transferred; adult-use sale taxed; grant and loan programs established; criminal penalties amended; expungement procedures established; labor standards established; nuisance cause of action created; scheduling amended; data classified; and money appropriated (pending referral).
    - Discussion on HF600 will be limited to the jurisdiction of this committee. *Bills may be added.


    House Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 3:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF641 (Raleigh) Military veteran jobs tax credit provided.
    HF41 (Frazier) COVID-19; emergency paid sick leave provided to health care employees excluded from Families First Coronavirus Response Act (pending updated fiscal note).
    HF800 (Wolgamott) Meat and poultry processing workplace safety provided, rulemaking authorized, report required, and money appropriated.
    *Bills may be added.


    House Health Finance and Policy Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 3:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF1173 (Lippert) Hospital or hospital campus closure, operation curtailment, service relocation, or service cessation requirements modified; and right of first refusal established before hospital or hospital campus sale or conveyance.
    HF834 (Her) Hospital moratorium exception provided.
    HF1609 (Liebling) Nonstate government-owned teaching hospital with high Medicaid utilization and level 1 trauma centers and affiliated physicians payment arrangement established, inpatient hospital rates modified, health plan revenue exempted from insurance premium taxes and surcharges.
    and hospital revenue exempted from provider tax.
    HF1531 (Lee) Trauma-informed gun violence reduction pilot program established, report required, and money appropriated.
    *Agenda items may be added/removed.


    House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 3:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF80 (Lippert) Farmer-lender mediation period extended.
    HF112 (Bernardy) Manufactured home park residents provided purchase opportunity.
    HF1002 (Schultz) Individual health plan offered by health carriers guaranteed issuance to residents required.
    HF1516 (Schultz) Pharmacy and provider choice allowed relating to biological product prescription and dispensation, and report required.
    *Items may be taken up in any order.
    *Items may be added or removed at the Chair’s discretion.


    House Property Tax Division
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 3:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF355 (Sundin) Cloquet; local sales and use tax authority modified.
    HF693 (Igo) Grand Rapids; local sales and use tax authority modified.
    HF514 (Igo) Itasca County; local sales and use tax authority authorized.
    HF1345 (Bahner) Maple Grove; local sales and use tax authorized.
    HF1458 (Burkel) Warren; local sales and use tax authority modified.
    HF1304 (Rasmusson) Fergus Falls; local sales and use tax authorized.


    House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 3:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    HF1283 (Koegel) Addiction medicine graduate medical education fellowship program funding provided, and money appropriated.
    HF1536 (Wolgamott) Z-Degree program modified, and money appropriated.


    House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee - part 2, if necessary*
    Wednesday, March 3 2021 3/3/2021 6:00 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    *If the committee is unable to complete it morning agenda by 12pm, the committee will recess and reconvene at 6pm.
    Agenda: To be determined.


    Session Daily Update
    Thursday, March 4 2021 3/4/2021 3:25 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    Updates from the House.


    House Floor Session
    Thursday, March 4 2021 3/4/2021 3:30 PM
    Watch: Live Event
    House Floor Session

    News and Notes

    Bill Introductions: HF1685-HF1807

    2021 committee deadlines

    • Friday, March 12 - Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin.
    • Friday, March 19 - Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body.
    • Friday, April 9 - Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills. 

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