Minnesota Senate adopts omnibus referrals, withdraws two bills for reassignment to new committees

The Minnesota Senate on an order of routine business adopted an omnibus motion referring multiple Senate files to standing committees and approved two motions to withdraw and reassign individual bills to different committees.

The chamber adopted what the presiding officer described as an author's omnibus motion to refer several bills to committee. Among the referrals announced on the Senate agenda were Senate file number 2,175 and Senate file number 2,194, each listed as referred to the Committee on Education Policy. Several other files were read and referred to committees including the Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention and the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety as recorded on the agenda.

During the session, Senator Hauschild moved that Senate file 19 16 be withdrawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services and re'referred to the Committee on Human Services, saying both chairs were in agreement. The presiding officer stated the motion prevailed.

Senator Pappas moved that Senate file 19 62 be withdrawn from the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection and re'referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. When asked whether both chairs were consulted, Senator Pappas stated, "This is my bill and I've talked to both chairs." The presiding officer recorded that the motion prevailed.

Other routine business included roll call and the secretary's reading of attendance; the chamber noted a quorum was present and, later in the session, excused Senators Port, Housley and Miller from the day's session.

A brief prayer was delivered by Chaplain Major Keith Beckwith at the start of the sitting; the prayer was part of the formal opening and not part of legislative debate. A short, unattributed statement in the transcript praised the role of "innovative businesses...delivering affordable clean energy" and their contribution to Minnesota's energy transition; the speaker for that line was not identified in the transcript.

Votes reported on the record in this portion of the session were voice votes. Where a voice vote was taken, the presiding officer said "the motion prevails," and no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript for those referrals and reassignments.

Agenda items referred and committee assignments (as read aloud on the floor) included: Senate file number 2,175 to the Committee on Education Policy; Senate file number 2,194 to the Committee on Education Policy; a listed Senate file (transcript reads "cinephile number 20 two-thirty 1") to the Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention; a listed Senate file number 2,265 to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety; Senate file number 2,278 to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety; and Senate file number 22 86 to the Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention. The transcript did not provide bill descriptions, sponsors beyond the two motions noted above, or recorded roll-call vote totals for these referrals.

Why it matters: committee referrals determine which panels will develop policy language, hold hearings and advance or halt bills. Reassigning bills between committees can change their prospects for amendment, hearing schedules and timing for floor consideration.

The Senate adjourned after completing the listed orders of business.