The Minnesota Senate Republicans have announced the committee structure and Chairs for the upcoming session. Senator Mark Johnson (R- East Grand Forks) will serve as the Chair of the newly formed Committee on Redistricting when the 92nd legislative session begins in January.

“I am eager to serve as the Chair of the Redistricting Committee. This opportunity only comes along once every decade and sets the table for the next ten years of policy by drawing the district boundaries in Minnesota to better reflect the changing populations within Minnesota,” said Senator Johnson. “As Chair of the committee, I look forward to working for fair representation across our state. Regardless of where you live – Twin Cities, East Grand Forks, Pipestone, Winnona, or anywhere else in Minnesota – Minnesotans need to know their voice is heard.” 

The priority for the session will be balancing the budget in light of an economy recovering from COVID. The Senate Finance Committee is the only committee with hearing time available three days a week, all others are limited to one or two hearings a week, or as needed. Less meeting time will help focus the agendas and ensure public participation can be done safely. There are more committees, 29 in total, from 2020, but with fewer members to accommodate for social distancing. The new committee areas are focused on: data practices and civil law, property taxes, mining and forestry, labor and industry, health and human services licensing, metropolitan governance, and redistricting.