February 8, 2010 - Legislative Report #3

Off Session Bill Introduction

While attending the opening session events on February 4, 2010, I visited the Minnesota House Chief Clerk's office (room 211) in the Capitol. I wanted to verify that legislators had introduced bills over the summer in violation of our State Constitution, Article 4, Sections 12, 15, and 19. Indeed, legislators introduced 213 bills in the off session this biennium, including three by Carolyn Laine, House 50-A representative.

I received a great deal of help from a clerk of the office. He explained that in the mid 70s the legislature started introducing bills in the off session periods. The logic was intended to speed up the legislative process during the second half of the biennium, produce a better legislative session, and shorten the time needed to conduct business in Saint Paul.

As with most government decisions, an action taken with intended results are rarely sustained over time. Now legislators use off session bill introduction to move agenda forward, holding off session committee reviews. Little to no public input or notification occurs.

Solution: Our Constitution provides directives on specific legislative actions and prohibitions. The very purpose of our Constitution is to restrict government power and encroachment on "We the People." When our elected leaders ignore the rule of law even to produce a better legislative session, their actions diminishes the value of government. The trust in government becomes nonexistent with those whom the government serves.