House Republicans say Secretary of State refused to recognize members; Supreme Court hearing set Thursday

House Republican lawmakers said they have filed a lawsuit asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to decide whether the secretary of state can refuse to recognize them as members of the Minnesota House of Representatives; they said oral arguments are scheduled Thursday at the State Capitol.

The question of recognition came up as the House entered its 22nd day of the session with lawmakers from one caucus largely absent. A House Republican representative (name not specified) said that ‘‘over $200,000 of taxpayer dollars’’ has gone to members who have not attended, and that 66 members of the opposing caucus had not shown up to work.

Why it matters: recognition determines which members can take seats and whether the chamber can conduct business. The representatives said motions to compel recognition had been placed on the secretary of state’s desk in multiple versions and that the dispute over whether the secretary of state may refuse recognition is the central legal issue now before the court.

House Republicans described efforts this week to expand negotiating teams with Democrats. The representative said those expanded talks began recently and that continued willingness from Democrats to talk was ‘‘encouraging,’’ though no deal details were shared. The state party is handling recall petitions, the representative said, and that process can proceed once constituents file petitions in districts where organizers meet the statutory threshold.

On procedure and advice, the group said nonpartisan staff pointed them to a provision in Mason’s (the legislative manual) about motions to compel but that they contend the Minnesota Constitution provides otherwise. In response to a reporter’s question, an individual identified in the transcript as Mister Liska said there had been prior written communications and that motions had been on the desk ‘‘every single day the last week and this week.’’

On seating an individual identified in the transcript as Representative Bridal Tabkey, the representative said the House itself must judge the eligibility of its members and that the caucus stands by that principle; no change in position was reported.

No formal votes or changes to membership were announced during the remarks. The representatives said negotiations were continuing, with an evening meeting planned, and that the Supreme Court calendar includes oral argument on the question of recognition.

The dispute and any court decision could affect whether the chamber can proceed with business and how absent members are treated under House rules and Minnesota law. The parties provided no timetable for a negotiated agreement, and the representative said they had no further comments about the substance of the upcoming Supreme Court hearing.