On Tuesday, the 94th Minnesota Legislative Session began. The Senate gaveled in with a rare tie in the chamber under a power sharing agreement until a majority is once again achieved. In the House of Representatives there is disagreements about what constitutes a quorum to conduct business. To that end, the DFL caucus is denying a quorum. Republicans moved ahead with organizing the business of the chamber. There is a case pending before the Minnesota Supreme Court on this issue. Oral arguments are slated to begin next week. The court’s ruling and the special election for a Roseville-area seat will likely determine how the House moves forward over the next two years.

In the Senate, jurisdiction for Veterans legislation changed for this two-year biennium. It will fall under the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development committee. Previously, it was in the State and Local Government and Veterans committee. Under the power sharing agreement, the committee will be co-chaired by Sens. Aric Putnam (St. Cloud) and Torrey Westrom (Alexandria). There will also be a Veterans subcommittee with membership yet to be announced.

The House has created a Veterans and Military Affairs Division under the State Government Finance and Policy committee.