House passes state government finance bill after debate over proxy voting, elections and attorney general funding

The Minnesota House passed Senate File 3045, the 2025 state government finance bill, after extended debate and several roll-call votes. The bill funds the legislature, nonpartisan staff, constitutional officers and a range of state agencies and programs, and it cleared the House on a final vote of 113 yeas to 21 nays.

Supporters said the bill sustains the institutions that keep the Legislature and state government running and includes bipartisan policy provisions. "This 2025 state government finance budget bill does really important things," Representative Ruth Cleburne said on the House floor, listing funding for staff, the reviser and the Capitol building.

Why it matters: The measure combines base funding for operations with targeted policy changes and program funding. Members debated several high-profile amendments on election rules, bribery and inducement prohibitions, proxy voting for deployed members, and funding for the attorney general's office and Medicaid fraud enforcement. The bill also contains items proponents described as bipartisan compromises: election security measures and changes to campaign finance and voter-related provisions, a healthy-aging subcabinet, business filing fraud protections, and additional auditors for the Office of the Legislative Auditor.

Major provisions and debate - Funding for the legislature and staff: Sponsors repeatedly emphasized that the bill pays salaries and benefits for nonpartisan staff who support…