State/Minnesota

Minnesota

House of Representatives LowerSenate Upper

Legislative Orientation ✓ Available

Chamber	Question	Answer	Detail
House of Representatives	Does your chamber offer an orientation program for new legislators at the beginning of a term?	Yes
House of Representatives	Which best describes the length of the New Member orientation program?	Multiple days
House of Representatives	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Legislative process/procedure
House of Representatives	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Legislative research and bill drafting
House of Representatives	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Role of committees/training of chairs/vice chairs
House of Representatives	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Ethics/conflicts of interest
House of Representatives	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Harassment policies of your chamber
House of Representatives	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Budget process
House of Representatives	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	District office setup or member expense reimbursement
House of Representatives	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	Preview of your term and Balancing Work and Family; Building Relationships in the Legislature; Legislative Website Interactive Activity; Working with your Legislative Assistant; Introduction to the Office of the Legislative Auditor; Introduction to the Legislative Coordinating Commission; House Public Information Office (includes TV coverage); Working with Your Legislative Assistant; Opening Day of Session (includes a video of first day).
House of Representatives	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Clerk or Secretary's office
House of Representatives	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Presiding officer or presiding officer's staff
House of Representatives	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Drafting staff
House of Representatives	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Committee staff
House of Representatives	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Caucus/Delegations
House of Representatives	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Security Personnel
House of Representatives	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Accounting
House of Representatives	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Human Resources
House of Representatives	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	House Research; House Fiscal; Legislative Auditor; Legislative Coordinating Commission; Legislative Reference Library; House Public Information (includes TV Services).
House of Representatives	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Reimbursement for travel expenses to attend orientation
House of Representatives	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Networking opportunities with other newly elected members
House of Representatives	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Provision of state-issued electronic devices (phones, laptops, etc.)
House of Representatives	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	Members meet with House Human Resources Department and House Budget and Accounting Office; Public Information Office New Member Interviews.
House of Representatives	Does your chamber permit remote participation in the orientation program?	No
House of Representatives	Does your chamber provide an orientation program for members elected in a special election?	Yes
House of Representatives	Does your chamber provide on-going training opportunities for all members throughout the legislative term? If yes, please note what topics are typically addressed.	Yes	Rules Governing Debate and Decorum; The Six Guidelines That Regulate Procedure; Rules Governing Parliamentary Inquiry, Points of Personal Privilege, Privilege of the House, Points of Order, Germaneness, and Appeals; Rules Governing Voting; Reviewing Order of Business; Amendments and Motions.
Senate	Does your chamber offer an orientation program for new legislators at the beginning of a term?	Yes
Senate	Which best describes the length of the New Member orientation program?	Multiple days
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Legislative process/procedure
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Legislative research and bill drafting
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Ethics/conflicts of interest
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Harassment policies of your chamber
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Budget process
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	District office setup or member expense reimbursement
Senate	Which of the following topics are covered in the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	We bring in the Legislative Reference Library to go over their services and research and we bring in our Legislative Coordinating Commission to talk about their roles in supporting the various outside committees that members are placed on by their caucus leaders.
Senate	Which of the following offices/staff sections are involved in organizing the orientation program or presenting information to legislators during the program (select all that apply)?	Clerk or Secretary's office
Senate	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Reimbursement for travel expenses to attend orientation
Senate	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Networking opportunities with other newly elected members
Senate	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Provision of state-issued electronic devices (phones, laptops, etc.)
Senate	Which of the following resources or opportunities are available to your members at the orientation program (select all that apply)?	Other (please specify)	Opportunities to connect with our Fiscal Services and Human Resources staff to answer any questions about benefits, pay, reimbursements, etc.
Senate	Does your chamber permit remote participation in the orientation program?	No
Senate	Does your chamber provide an orientation program for members elected in a special election?	Yes
Senate	Does your chamber provide on-going training opportunities for all members throughout the legislative term? If yes, please note what topics are typically addressed.	No

Leadership ✓ Available

Chamber	Question	Answer	Detail
Senate	Is Lt. Governor a current position in your chamber?	No
Senate	Is President a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of President?	Yes	One, with the exception of co-presiding officers under a power sharing agreement in 2025
Senate	How is the President selected and by whom?	Elected	by the Senate
Senate	How long are the terms for the President?	Open-ended response	biennium
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the President?	Open-ended response	1) preserving order and decorum in the chamber, including decisions on points of order 2) referring bills to committees when they are introduced 3) signing enrollments of acts
Senate	Is Speaker a current position in your chamber?	No
Senate	Is Pro Tempore a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Pro Tempore?	No	no, but usually only one member named
Senate	How is the Pro Tempore selected and by whom?	Appointed	by resolution adopted by the Senate
Senate	How long are the terms for the Pro Tempore?	Open-ended response	biennium
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Pro Tempore?	Open-ended response	presiding in the absence of the President
Senate	Is Majority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Majority Leader?	Yes	almost always one, with the single exception of co-leaders during power sharing
Senate	How is the Majority Leader selected and by whom?	Appointed	first by the majority caucus and then recognized in a resolution adopted by the Senate
Senate	How long are the terms for the Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	biennium
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	1) setting the agenda for action by the Senate, including designating bills for special orders 2) chairing the Committee on Rules and Administration
Senate	Is Assistant Majority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Assistant Majority Leader?	No	no limit, typically five or six members.
Senate	How is the Assistant Majority Leader selected and by whom?	Appointed	by the majority caucus
Senate	How long are the terms for the Assistant Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	biennium
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Assistant Majority Leader?	Open-ended response	informally (not in Senate Rules) 1) whipping votes 2) making motions and announcements on behalf of Majority Leader when the Leader is not present
Senate	Is Minority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Minority Leader?	Yes	one, with the exception of co-leaders designated under a power sharing arrangement
Senate	How is the Minority Leader selected and by whom?	Appointed	by the minority caucus
Senate	How long are the terms for the Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	biennium
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	Formally: the minority leader must agree with the Majority leader to any change in committee memberships unless the Senate votes to adopt a resolution to make the changes 2) appointments to various councils, working groups, etc. Informally: speak for the Minority caucus
Senate	Is Assistant Minority Leader a current position in your chamber?	Yes
Senate	Is there a limit on the number of individuals allowed to hold the position of Assistant Minority Leader?	No
Senate	How is the Assistant Minority Leader selected and by whom?	Appointed	by the minority caucus
Senate	How long are the terms for the Assistant Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	biennium
Senate	What are the top 1-2 responsibilities of the Assistant Minority Leader?	Open-ended response	Assist the minority leader
Senate	Is Majority Whip a current position in your chamber?	No
Senate	Is Minority Whip a current position in your chamber?	No

Political Caucuses ✓ Available

Chamber	Question	Answer	Detail
Senate	Does your chamber/state have at least one active political party caucus?	Yes
Senate	How are political party caucuses organized in your chamber/state?	By any other method (please specify)	According to their own custom and practices. There is very limited in caucus recognition within our Senate Rules.
Senate	Do the caucuses have written bylaws or other binding rules or customs that govern their meetings?	No
Senate	Do the political party caucuses have legislative staff assigned to them?	No
Senate	What role do those caucuses play?	Select leaders or assist in organization of the chamber
Senate	What role do those caucuses play?	Gather and disseminate information
Senate	What role do those caucuses play?	Formulate policy
Senate	What role do those caucuses play?	Host or participate in social and community events
Senate	Who can attend caucus/delegation meetings?	Members only
Senate	Who can attend caucus/delegation meetings?	Legislative staff
Senate	Who can attend caucus/delegation meetings?	Invited guests
Senate	Does your chamber/state have other caucuses based upon interests other than political party? If yes, please specify.	Yes	Queer Caucus, BIPOC Caucus, Civility Caucus, Women's Caucus

Enrolling Procedures ✓ Available

Chamber	Question	Answer	Detail
House of Representatives	Is the act or chapter number assigned before enrolling?	Yes (assigned before enrolling and included)
Senate	Is the act or chapter number assigned before enrolling?	Yes (assigned before enrolling and included)

Data status for Minnesota

The current standing of every Minnesota record in ILP. If your chamber can update or confirm any of this, contact the ILP editors via the About page.

Topic	Chamber	Survey record	Status	Last Checked
Enrolling Procedures	House of Representatives	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Enrolling Procedures	Senate	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Leadership	House of Representatives	Did not respond	Needs Update	2026-07-19
Leadership	Senate	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Legislative Orientation	House of Representatives	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Legislative Orientation	Senate	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19
Political Caucuses	House of Representatives	Did not respond	Needs Update	2026-07-19
Political Caucuses	Senate	Responded	Imported	2026-07-19

No specific answers are currently flagged for update.

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