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
House division discusses differences, common ground with Senate on policing proposals (7/1/2020 6:21:33 PM) What will school look like in the fall? Challenges are inevitable, educators say, but 'students are No. 1' (6/30/2020 3:45:00 PM) School professionals call for changes to accommodate student learning and health (6/25/2020 2:30:00 PM) Education committees examine the report card on distance learning (6/24/2020 3:23:00 PM) Special session ends without agreement on policing overhaul, other key issues (6/20/2020 7:55:00 AM) Boost to CCAP reimbursement rates approved by House (6/19/2020 7:20:00 PM) House passes 'PROMISE Act' to rebuild areas damaged by civil unrest (6/19/2020 7:01:54 PM) State grant deadline extension passed by House (6/19/2020 6:35:00 PM) House passes Covid relief to cities and counties, supplemental budget items (6/19/2020 12:11:00 PM) House passes package of police accountability legislation, sends to Senate (6/19/2020 1:48:00 AM) House approves extension to human services program changes (6/18/2020 7:15:00 PM)
Photography
This week's slideshow,
photo gallery and
Capitol area images
Live Video
Event Schedule
TUESDAY: House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Division (Remote Hearing)
Tuesday, July 7 2020 9:45 AM
Watch: Live Event
Also available on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo/ .
• This meeting held in accordance with House Rule 10.01 •.
AGENDA:.
Informational hearing on HFXXX (Wagenius) Electric cogeneration activity power purchase agreement authorized.
Meeting documents will be posted on the House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Committee website: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/Committees/home/91021.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY INFORMATION:.
Members of the public with questions about this process or who are interested in submitting testimony may email committee staff at John.Howe@House.mn.
If you plan to submit written testimony or wish to testify, please send notice to John.Howe@house.mn by 5 pm on Monday.
ACCESSIBILITY:.
If you have questions about the accessibility of remote hearings or require an accommodation to view, participate in, or otherwise access a remote hearing, please contact Blake Wilcox by emailing him at Blake.Wilcox@house.mn or by leaving a message at 651-296-8803.
WEDNESDAY: House Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding (Remote Hearing)
Wednesday, July 8 2020 10:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
Also available on Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo/ .
• This meeting held in accordance with House Rule 10.01 •.
AGENDA:.
Presentation from Andy Slavitt, United States of Care, on the COVID-19 pandemic response in Minnesota and around the country.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY INFORMATION:.
If you would like to submit written testimony, a letter or a handout for the hearing please contact Owen Wirth at Owen.Wirth@house.mn.
ACCESSIBILITY:.
If you have questions about the technology associated with/accessibility of remote hearings, please contact Blake Wilcox by emailing him at Blake.Wilcox@house.mn or by leaving a message at 651-296-8803; please do not contact him on matters directly related to the agenda.
2021 SESSION: Opening Day of the Ninety-Second Session of the Minnesota Legislature
Tuesday, January 5 2021 12:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Per Minnesota Statute, Chapter 3.011: The 2021 Legislative Session is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
News and Notes
Special Session Bill Introductions: HF157-HF170
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. Laurie Halverson (DFL-Eagan), Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL-New Brighton), Rep. Sandy Layman (R-Cohasset), Rep. Ben Lien (DFL-Moorhead), Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul), Rep. Alice Mann (DFL-Lakeville), Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls), Rep. Linda Runbeck (R-Circle Pines), Rep. Duane Sauke (DFL-Rochester), Rep. Bob Vogel (R-Elko New Market) and Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls).
Stay informed
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You can follow bills throughout the legislative process by signing up for MyBills, a personalized way to track House and Senate bills by number. Find more information on how to follow House and Senate bills here.
Resources
Want to contact your U.S. representative, the governor or a state agency? Click here for a roster of federal and state contacts.