Legislative Update
Friends,
This week has been a historic one for both House Republicans and the State of Minnesota.
Late Wednesday evening, leaders from both parties reached an agreement that will allow for official House business to move forward. The very next day, we proudly voted on the House Floor to elect Lisa Demuth as Speaker of the House.
Organizing Agreement
For the first time in six years, there will be a Republican Speaker of the House, with Lisa Demuth assuming the role and becoming the second most powerful elected official in Minnesota.
Republicans will be committee chairs and have majorities on all committees for the five-week period leading up to the March 11th special election in Roseville.
If the Roseville seat returns to Democrats, a split committee roster with co-chairs will be reinstated. However, even if the House returns to an even 67-67 split, Demuth will remain the sole Speaker of the House.
Like the Speakership agreement, Republicans will continue to chair the Fraud and Agency Oversight Committee and have a 5-3 voting majority over Democrats for the entirety of the biennium – regardless of the special election’s outcome.
What’s Next?
Republicans in the House have been gathering feedback and listening to the concerns of Minnesotans and over the past four weeks, we’ve been crafting legislation centered around affordability, public safety, education, and government fraud, waste, and abuse.
In the coming weeks, we will be introducing legislation to address these issues and more. We have already outlined our legislative priorities which include the following bills:
H.F.s 1-3 – Stopping Fraud
These bills aim to address Minnesota's rampant fraud problem, including the Feeding Our Future scandal. Key measures: creating an Office of the Inspector General, fraud reporting mandates, stronger grant management, and criminal penalties to protect taxpayer dollars.
H.F.s 4-5 – Addressing Affordability
These bills focus on tax relief for working families, including a constitutional amendment for surplus refunds, eliminating the state tax on Social Security benefits, repealing the automatic gas tax increases, and removing the new delivery fee.
H.F. 6 – Improving Education
This bill creates an Office of Achievement and Innovation, allows school boards to opt out of mandates, and enhances the Read Act to improve literacy and educational outcomes for students.
H.F. 7 – Enhancing Public Safety and Accountability
This bill strengthens penalties for crimes like assaulting police and sex trafficking while improving law enforcement tools and transparency in prosecutions to reduce crime.
H.F. 8 – Permitting Reform
Streamlines environmental permitting processes, improves efficiency under the Wetland Conservation Act, and simplifies compliance for economic development projects.
H.F. 9 – Providing Cheap, Reliable, Clean Energy
Ends Minnesota’s nuclear moratorium, allowing new nuclear plants, while supporting a mix of clean energy solutions like carbon capture, hydroelectric, and renewable sources.
H.F. 10 – Minnesota Tax Dollars for Minnesotans
Prohibits taxpayer funds from supporting services for illegal immigrants, ensuring they’re used only for eligible Minnesota residents.
Moving Forward
Minnesotans can look forward to a legislative body that's ready to hit the ground running. We’ll continue gathering input from our constituents to create legislation that works for them and improves the quality of life for everyone in our state.
As we continue through the 2025-2026 session, I’d appreciate your input. If you have any thoughts or concerns, you can reach me at 651-296-7065 or at my email, rep.terry.stier@house.mn.gov.