Newly elected Speaker-designate Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) and Majority Leader-elect Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) will begin the hard work of setting up the committee structure for the Minnesota House of Representatives. The leaders will meet over the next few weeks to determine the number of committees and the membership for the GOP and DFL. Daudt has indicated he will lead a “family friendly” House with limited late nights and fewer weekend sessions.

With 26 newly elected freshmen – 21 GOP and 5 DFL, there will be a significant number of freshmen on all the committees. Under the House DFL there were 29 standing committees. It is expected the House GOP will reduce the number and streamline the structure to match up better with the Minnesota Senate which currently has 22 standing committees. During the last GOP House Majority there were 24 standing committees.

Speaker-designate Daudt will have to contend with senior members who will want a gavel. There are 25 members in the GOP caucus serving their 4th term up to the most senior member, Greg Davids (R-Preston) serving his 12th term. Tradition usually dictates members with the most seniority are given significant consideration. Daudt will have to fit the members’ expertise to the limited number of committee assignments.

Since Representative Mike Beard (R-Shakopee) stepped down, there is an opening for the Transportation Committee and long-time Health and Human Services expert, Jim Abeler did not run for re-election this cycle leaving the HHS chairmanship up for grabs. Look for some combined policy and finance committees and a standalone Agriculture Committee which will be chaired by a rural member.

Priorities

Daudt noted the House GOP Caucus will focus on job creation, caring for seniors and veterans and prioritization of road and bridge funding. Peppin stressed that everyone will have a seat at the table and the House will not leave Greater Minnesota behind.

Session will convene on January 6, 2015.