The polar vortex may have brought temperatures colder than Siberia to the Midwest, but legislative activity continued throughout the week. The Senate canceled all committee hearings on Wednesday, January 30; however, the House continued to meet and heard some large pieces of the DFL majority's agenda.

Governor Walz has indicated his willingness to sign legislation that has broad bipartisan support, which these measures do. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Minnesota is the only state with a divided legislature in the 2019-2020 biennium. The last time there was only one divided state legislature in the country was in 1914.

Legislative Calendar

February 5—Special Election in Senate District 11.

March 15—First deadline is for committees to act favorably on bills in the house of origin.

March 29—Second deadline is for committees to act favorably on bills, or companion bills, that met first deadline in the other body.

April 12—Third deadline is for committees to act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills. Deadlines do not apply to capital investment, taxes or rules.

April 13-22—Easter/Passover break. There will be no legislative activity during this time. Legislative activity will resume 8:00 a.m. on April 23.

May 20—Legislature must adjourn.