Recently leaders from the Senate Republican and DFL caucuses announced an organizing agreement has been reached to govern the work of the Senate while it exists with a 33-33 tie. The agreement will be passed as a resolution on the Senate floor on Tuesday, January 14, the first day of the 2025 session. 

 

“This is a groundbreaking moment in which the Senate is evenly split in a 33-33 tie,” Senator Julia Coleman said. “It was an honor to serve on the negotiating team alongside leaders from both caucuses to craft a power-sharing agreement that better reflects the balance Minnesotans are seeking in their government. Our agreement is a testament to the bipartisan work that can be done in Minnesota and speaks to the legacy Senator Kari Dziedzic left in Saint Paul – one of collaborative leadership and public service.” 

 

Key items in the agreement include: 

• Each caucus leader will appoint a co-presiding officer; caucus leaders will agree who will convene each day.
• Each committee has joint chairs, with gavel sharing determined by the chairs.
• Equal representation of DFL and GOP members on committees.
• No changes to Senate rules through 2025.
• A permanent increase in GOP committee membership after the power-sharing agreement ends.
• Agreement is in place until there are 34 votes to end the agreement.