This week the Senate took strong action to reassert a fair balance of governing power between the legislative branch and the executive branch. On Monday, the Senate passed Senate File 4 on a tripartisan vote of 38-29. The bill would require the executive branch to obtain legislative approval to extend any emergency declaration beyond 30 days. 

“The Governor has now held his emergency powers for over a year. It is long past time for the Governor to work with the legislature,” said Senator Eichorn. “I support this legislation to help restore the legislature as a co-equal branch of Government. Too many people are having their voice ignored by Governor Walz.”

On Thursday, the Senate voted to terminate the Governor’s peacetime emergency powers for the eighth time since he enacted his powers last March. As it stands, the Governor can renew his powers every 30 days without legislative approval. The legislature can only terminate the powers with a majority vote from both the Senate and House. With a Democrat-controlled House, the attempts have so far been unsuccessful.

Minnesota is not alone in the effort to review and change emergency powers. According to the National Council on State Legislatures, 40 states are considering measures to limit executive authority and power.