Legislature Approaching First Deadline

The Legislature is quickly approaching the first legislative deadline on March 15, when bills must be heard by all relevant policy committees.
(Published Mar 4, 2013)

Each year, the Legislature establishes a series of committee deadlines, which are self-imposed requirements for proposed legislation to be acted on in policy and budget committees. Legislation that fails to be acted upon by these deadlines will technically be dead for the remainder of the session.

The deadlines are as follows:

  • March 15. The first deadline is for policy committees to act favorably on bills in the house of origin.
  • March 22. The second deadline is for committees to act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other chamber.
  • April 19. The third deadline is for the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee to act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.

Other dates and deadlines to be aware of:

  • TIF Legislation Information Form (soon): If your city is working on a bill related to tax increment financing (TIF), be sure your city completes the information form. There is no specific deadline, but cities are encouraged to submit the completed form as soon as possible. Read more about this.
  • Joint Legislative Conference (March 21): This is a great time right before the second committee deadline for city officials to come to the Capitol and contact their legislators. There’s still time to register online and schedule appointments with your legislators. If you’re not able to attend, consider marking 10 minutes in your calendar on March 21 to call or email your legislators that day to share your support of local control and the League’s policies.
  • Easter/Passover break (March 22-April 1): The Legislature recesses for several days around Easter and Passover. The break will begin at sundown on March 22, and the Legislature will reconvene on Tuesday, April 2. This is a great time to invite your legislators to city hall or meet with them to reiterate your city’s legislative priorities. Be sure to also thank them for any help they have provided in the past. Call his or her St. Paul office to schedule a meeting with your legislator in your city.
  • End of Session (May 20): The regular 2013 legislative session must adjourn by this date, which is the first Monday after the third Saturday in May.

Read the current issue of the Cities Bulletin

* By posting you are agreeing to the LMC Comment Policy.