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Minnesota Senate adopts 2026 session deadlines after brief objection
Summary
The Senate on Feb. 19 approved a concurrent resolution setting session deadlines, placing the first and second deadlines on March 27 at 5 p.m. and a third on April 17 at 5 p.m.; Senator Howell questioned scheduling the first two on the same date but the measure passed.
The Minnesota Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 on Feb. 19, establishing deadlines for the 2026 regular session. Majority Leader Senator Murphy explained that the first and second deadlines would both fall on Friday, March 27, at 5 p.m., and the third deadline on Friday, April 17, at 5 p.m. Senator Murphy said the pattern has been used “now for two or three sessions” to expedite work and manage coordination with varying jurisdictions.
Senator Howell asked why the first and second deadlines were set on the same date and said she could not support the resolution because having the deadlines on the same day reduces time available to move important legislation. Senator Murphy yielded for questions and defended the schedule as a successful pattern in recent sessions. After limited discussion, the chamber adopted the resolution by voice vote.
The adopted concurrent resolution sets internal deadlines that guide committee and floor consideration of bills as the session proceeds. The measure does not itself change substantive law; it establishes procedural milestones for the legislature’s workflow. The Senate moved on to other business following the vote.
Next procedural steps: the deadlines will guide committees and floor leadership as they calendar bills ahead of the March and April cutoffs.
