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Senate passes House File 1090 to rename library construction grant for former Rep. Mary Murphy; bill approved 50-14
Summary
On May 13, 2025, the Minnesota Senate gave final passage to House File 1090, renaming the state's library construction grant program to honor the late former Representative Mary Murphy. The bill passed on a roll call, 50 ayes to 14 noes, after members offered personal tributes to Murphy's legislative career.
The Minnesota Senate on May 13, 2025, gave final passage to House File 1090, a capital investment bill that renames the state's library construction grant program to honor former Representative Mary Murphy. The roll call recorded 50 ayes and 14 noes.
Senator Pappas, who presented the measure, opened floor remarks with personal recollections of Murphy's career and community ties. "House file or House file 10 90 names the library construction grant after a, a long serving house member, former representative Mary Murphy," Pappas said. She described Murphy's long service, her role on bonding and pension issues and the House's recent commemoration following Murphy's death.
The bill drew a series of tributes from senators who described Murphy as a longtime educator and local leader. "I was fortunate enough to sit next to her for a couple of years over in the Minnesota House Floor. It was a total delight," Senator Kunish said, recounting memories of working with Murphy and her advocacy for libraries.
Senator Howell described learning from Murphy's approach to legislative work and recounted how Murphy allowed members to revise and improve bills through repeated consideration. "She gave me a hearing, and she could have killed it that day ... but she laid it on the table, allowed me to go back and work with the folks," Howell said, referring to an early veterans bill that later became law after additional work.
Senator Haschow highlighted Murphy's impact on the Northland and local projects, citing her role in advancing community assets such as trails, a YMCA, Head Start and tribal college connections. "Mary's impact on the Northland far exceeds any other legislator in our region," Haschow said.
Senator Rasmussen added that Murphy's leadership style emphasized empowering committee members and incorporating diverse input. "She would oftentimes give homework assignments just like a teacher to members of the committee, both Republican and Democrat, and ask them to work on those sections of the bill," Rasmussen said.
Procedural steps followed customary practice: the secretary gave the bill its third reading and called the roll for final passage. Several senators registered individual aye votes on the record, including Senator Fatai, Senator Marty, Senator Dibble, Senator Duckworth, Senator Johnson and Senator Murphy. The secretary announced the final tally: 50 ayes and 14 noes. The bill passed and its title was agreed to.
After the vote, Senator Friends moved that the Senate recess to the call of the president; the motion prevailed and the Senate recessed.
The measure, as passed, renames the Library Construction Grant program to honor Mary Murphy. The bill text and any implementation details, including the effective date or administrative steps to update program names, were not specified during today's floor remarks and roll call.
