[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6659927,"mediaKeyId","2439737-e75925419e4d4bd58353ce0a77433ed2","parentId",2439737,"title","House deadlocks on emergency-powers overhaul after hours of debate; measure ultimately tabled","audioSeconds",5029,"startMs",2385000,"endMs",7414000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2439737-e75925419e4d4bd58353ce0a77433ed2&start=2385&end=7414","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2439737-e75925419e4d4bd58353ce0a77433ed2/thumbnail_2385000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659927/Minnesota/House-deadlocks-on-emergency-powers-overhaul-after-hours-of-debate-measure-ultimately-tabled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659927-408952d7e85b43cad0fb9a40203010df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119218&Signature=L9mjEHv9AUt3R8G8L-xsCO-4Wt11hrOWTvXyIe6P1XDB4xKgtCI~oYH9WHph5aSXowX4dV-pwbZxsXPNBrBDkKW5Rqb4Akv0FxCIG4-jul76CzoZLcm2pIl-PQSGxGa~zkbl2t1cDNJKAM8lPAxJ5HhEX0XLcbjhabROqegV~f0mn2z-TYVhvdbJdxPGv8lWhQqUkZIISw3cGZGiu9v8pATdJ0YeAmOd5RF4zV6zCUEVaYxGbH2jCcEzrloC4gC15mhaWqHgH1~F55Pi6U~-Lhh3rO7P0Isv~X86F5jktq8xjvBdiimQCmosNGNHAm2z4L3TnCB3uzbi8ae4k9C5dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-02-28T03:54:56.8Z","article","House File 21, a bill that would change Minnesota law so a governor-declared peacetime emergency would automatically expire after 14 days unless extended by a three-fifths vote of both the House and Senate, prompted extended floor debate on Feb. 26 and a series of amendments and procedural contests. The bill did not pass on initial final passage and was later laid on the table after a reconsideration vote.

Representative Kristen Robbins, the bill’s author, said the proposal would ‘‘fundamentally change the orientation of the governor's emergency powers’’ to require bipartisan legislative support for extensions beyond 14 days. ‘‘This bill will change that fundamental orientation so that the governor can still declare an emergency, but after 14 days, the emergency would expire automatically unless it was extended by a 3/5ths vote of both the House and the Senate,’’ Representative Robbins told the chamber.

Opponents warned the change would hamper rapid executive response to certain emergencies. Representative Bonner emphasized cybersecurity risks, citing recent incident counts handled by state IT and national trends, and said some cyber incidents can last longer than 14 days and require continuity of executive authority. ‘‘That is an emergency... With time and persistence, the cyber attack will succeed,’’ Representative Bonner said in floor remarks.

Floor action included several amendments. Representative Robbins’ offered A1, which prohibits the governor from simply declaring successive 14-day emergencies for the same circumstances; that amendment was adopted after a roll call (67 ayes, 66 nays). Representative Alten Dorf offered an amendment (A6) that enumerated protections for specified constitutional rights and proposed shortening the automatic-expiration period to 10 days; the A6 amendment was divided and both portions were adopted in divided votes (first portion 127-6; second portion 67-66). Representative Long offered DE1 (substituting language from a different bill, House File 26) but the speaker sustained a point of order finding the amendment not germane; the ruling was appealed and the House upheld the speaker’s ruling 67-66.

After final debate, the clerk announced a closely divided roll-call result on final passage: the bill failed on the floor (the clerk recorded 67 ayes and 67 nays and announced the bill did not pass). Representative Niska then moved to reconsider; the motion to reconsider carried on a roll call (67-66), and Representative Nisga moved to lay House File 21 on the table; the motion to lay on the table prevailed, ending further immediate floor action on the bill.

Votes and formal actions (selected)
- Amendment A1 (Robbins): Adopted on roll call, 67 ayes, 66 nays — prevented consecutive automatic renewals for the same circumstances.
- Division and adoption of A6 (Alten Dorf): First portion adopted (127 ayes, 6 nays); second portion adopted (67 ayes, 66 nays).
- DE1 (Long): Ruled not germane by the speaker; appeal of that ruling failed (67 ayes to uphold the chair, 66 nays against).
- Final passage vote on House File 21: Recorded tie/near-tie and the bill did not pass (clerk recorded 67 ayes and 67 nays).
- Motion to reconsider: Carried (67 ayes, 66 nays).
- Motion to lay on the table: Adopted (non-debatable motion; voice vote reported as prevailing).

Why it mattered
Supporters said the bill would prevent an extended unilateral emergency period by the governor and require bipartisan legislative agreement for long-term emergency measures; they tied the measure to public complaints about the 2020–21 COVID-19 emergency. Opponents said the change would limit the executive branch’s ability to respond to fast-moving, technical, or large-scale emergencies—examples cited included cyberattacks, contagious disease outbreaks, and infrastructure failures—and could imperil continuity of government operations when a quick executive response is required.

Next steps
Because the bill was laid on the table, it is not advancing immediately. Sponsors said they would continue to press the policy in future sessions or seek alternative drafting; opponents argued the current statutory structure preserves necessary executive capacity in emergencies.

Speakers and attribution
Direct quotes and attributions in this article come only from persons who spoke on the House floor and are listed in the speakers section below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Floor Session 2/27/25","oneSentenceSummary","Debate over House File 21, which would automatically end a governor-declared emergency after 14 days unless extended by a three-fifths vote of each chamber, produced divided votes and amendments; the bill failed an initial vote and was later laid on the table after a successful reconsideration and procedural motions.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659931,"House passes bill limiting campaign spending by entities receiving state funds, targets \"dark money\" loophole",1231,1123000,2354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2439737-e75925419e4d4bd58353ce0a77433ed2&start=1123&end=2354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2439737-e75925419e4d4bd58353ce0a77433ed2/thumbnail_1123000.jpg","/articles/6659931/Minnesota/House-passes-bill-limiting-campaign-spending-by-entities-receiving-state-funds-targets-dark-money-loophole","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659931-bc98af3eb10a92928d3eeaa3e068a9d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119218&Signature=akG4JPJF-UHwJ5xX7fHo3TyGCmTm0UwCEmvCuhSCHTZolD-Tr8TK-lFVKrknzRfnkhJYPxxkmlKUNJmxjxJx-t9tdPm~LdFddIE5MPQCdah-HnNsb4YiGxpC~StY09gmUDi8b3F3i6kuT-Hg0I1Fc68SYEK21J0jX4eXXDk1ayJ7LZUhnCRTkbgxqw~RogyTLUgPK01DBJHW05rV5wA4RWCzuw~PcRRb5uECHGWf7JdQgP1IYr1~yfuZ3IX-w2EvSHGIvYA7A5vN9S6AhzICBC0cfDUsGM9zvuYnQUZWtWvecWckPjpWvJb1YMnIsR-QZthdM5tJg5vylF8otKJHFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Minnesota House passed House File 72 on Feb. 26, a measure the sponsor described as closing a ‘‘dark money loophole’’ by restricting certain campaign expenditures by entities that receive state funding and increasing transparency about outside spending in elections.

Representative Cedric Engin, the bill’s author, told the chamber that nonprofits and other entities that receive state appropriations should not use funds to make political expenditures. ‘‘This is a dark money loophole,’’ Representative Engin said on the floor. He framed the bill as a step toward returning political influence ‘‘back to the Minnesota voters’’ by preventing organizations that benefit from public funds from spending in elections.

Engin offered a floor amendment (coded A25008) that he said preserves the bill’s intent while clarifying transparency around funds on hand and separating raised money from state funding receipts. Representative Freiburg, speaking in support, described the bill as ‘‘a creative way to use existing resources’’ and said she would vote yes. Representative Greenman introduced and later withdrew multiple clarifying amendments; two other clarifying amendments were adopted or clarified the bill’s scope to include non-profit and corporate beneficiaries and to define state funding to include direct appropriations and certain tax expenditures, per floor debate.

Representative Zachary Coulter, while expressing sympathy with the bill’s aims, raised concerns about remaining vague terms and missing definitions but supported the general direction. Representative Engin and supporters pointed to examples of large tax expenditures and subsidies to corporations and nonprofit organizations as the sort of public dollars they intend to place outside of campaign spending.

The clerk announced the final tally after recorded votes: 130 yeas and 3 nays; the bill passed as amended and its title was agreed to.

Votes at a glance
House File 72 (as amended)
- Motion: Third reading and final passage of House File 72, as amended (including clarifying amendments adopted on the floor).
- Mover/Proponent: Representative Cedric Engin (bill author). Floor amendments offered by Engin and Greenman (some withdrawn; A25008 adopted).
- Final vote: 130 yeas, 3 nays. Remote recorded yes votes included Gander and Hicks; final remote tallies read by the clerk.
- Outcome: Approved; title agreed to.

What the bill and discussion covered
Representative Engin described the bill as designed to prevent entities that receive public funds—whether direct appropriations, grants, or certain tax expenditures—from directing those funds toward campaign-related expenditures and to increase disclosure about independent spending. Debate on the floor focused on definitions (‘‘organization,’’ ‘‘entity,’’ and ‘‘state funding’’) and on whether federal restrictions already limit some nonprofit political spending. Supporters said the bill will improve transparency and reduce the influence of undisclosed outside spending; some members said additional drafting work in committee was still needed to clarify scope.

Implementation and next steps
Floor debate did not provide an implementation timetable or detailed enforcement provisions; supporters said the bill clarifies state law and would require agencies and regulators to track disallowed campaign spending by benefited entities.

Speakers and attribution
Quotes in this article are attributed only to persons identified on the House floor in the transcript and listed in the speakers section below.","House File 72, which restricts campaign expenditures by organizations that receive state funds and increases disclosure, passed the Minnesota House Feb. 26 after floor amendments clarifying scope and definitions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659935,"House passes bill to let frontline state workers share savings and direct portion to workplace priorities",435,645000,1080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2439737-e75925419e4d4bd58353ce0a77433ed2&start=645&end=1080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2439737-e75925419e4d4bd58353ce0a77433ed2/thumbnail_645000.jpg","/articles/6659935/Minnesota/House-passes-bill-to-let-frontline-state-workers-share-savings-and-direct-portion-to-workplace-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659935-a86777a61f51bf21638a255eea8f930a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771119218&Signature=UeZJL6E9LRu6MnmB8jcxUSJqL78csPw-LXZEbSCMhX1MJ~wWZ2cgJQNbx73ldtdYuvZ-SEahPtrcAS7cDxuDkd0yOTLW9wplQUjgeXf9xR7cPDY3FCPxTXTsbK6XeMAZEo8WUQRZAVZHKPqbhnh~8360oCWMprCB9xaeKfQisEIOMuz~3RjnxtqixSIgMP5Hvxz9CrN0CLO~Y4OTDieG0BPYk1aT1CMSXaRUwNmaZDtJsn7GmEiD3JBX77sTRBm9oZj7bDhmuGxvmcqCnWwG6YanLBIub75X117ruD~a4iNTSfGxsCk6DtvB6TOZEqxM7UKd-zaF22Zy8qk7KFZ3aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House File 289, a proposal to route part of identified state agency savings back to frontline workers and to create worker-led spending committees, passed the Minnesota House on Feb. 26 after debate and a friendly amendment inserting a sunset provision.

Representative Paul Quam, the bill author, said the measure aims to give ‘‘frontline workers…a greater voice’’ and provide an incentive by returning a portion of savings to accounts they would help allocate. ‘‘This bill is meant to listen to our frontline workers that are helping our citizens, give them that voice, allow them to find savings and efficiencies, and then allow them part of that money to get what they need to do their job,’’ Representative Quam said on the House floor.

The measure drew at least one amendment offered by Representative Cleavorn to restore a sunset that Representative Quam had placed in his original version. Representative Cleavorn described the change as restoring the bill to Quam’s original approach and said the sunset would be June 30, 2030. Representative Quam accepted the amendment as friendly. The amendment was adopted without recorded opposition.

Representative Sydney Freiberg said the bill ‘‘does present an opportunity for there to be some innovation in state agencies’’ and indicated she would vote in favor. After a roll call, the clerk announced the final tally: 133 yays and 0 nays; the bill passed and its title was agreed to.

Votes at a glance
House File 289 (as amended)
- Motion: Third reading and final passage of House File 289, as amended (first engrossment with A2 amendment restoring a sunset).
- Mover/Proponent: Representative Paul Quam (bill author). Amendment offered by Representative Cleavorn.
- Final vote: 133 yeas, 0 nays. Remote recorded yes votes included Gander and Hicks.
- Outcome: Approved; title agreed to.

What the bill does and context
Representative Quam said the bill grew from conversations with public-sector union members and supervisors who sought ways to preserve and allocate unspent funds to frontline priorities. The proposal would let agencies identify savings, place part of those savings into an account, and allow a committee including frontline staff to help determine uses to support the agencies’ missions. The bill, as amended, includes a sunset provision set during floor amendment debate.

Implementation and next steps
Floor debate did not specify implementation timelines, department assignees, or funding estimates. The chief clerk advanced the bill to engrossment after the House vote.

Speakers and attribution
Quotes in this article come from participants listed in the meeting transcript and identified below.","The Minnesota House on Feb. 26 approved House File 289, creating a program that lets state frontline workers share in identified savings and direct part of those funds to workplace priorities; the bill includes a sunset provision adopted as an amendment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House deadlocks on emergency-powers overhaul after hours of debate; measure ultimately tabled

House passes bill limiting campaign spending by entities receiving state funds, targets "dark money" loophole

House passes bill to let frontline state workers share savings and direct portion to workplace priorities