Today, leaders from the Senate DFL and Republican caucuses announced they have reached an organizing agreement to govern the work of the Senate during the temporary tie before the Senate District 60 special election. The agreement will be passed as a resolution on the Senate floor on Tuesday, January 14, the first day of the 2025 session.

“The loss of our colleague and friend Kari Dziedzic was profound for her district, the Senate, and the people of Minnesota,” said DFL Caucus Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul). “The temporary 33-33 tie in the Senate posed unique challenges for the body and required a unique solution. I want to thank Senator Johnson, DFL and Republican leaders, and our dedicated staff for tireless efforts to create a temporary organizing structure that will be fair to both caucuses and productive for the people of Minnesota. Under these terms, we can begin the work of 2025, avoid gridlock, and uphold the best of this institution.”

“Starting the 2025 session with a 33-33 tie means we all have an opportunity to build trust and respect as we navigate these circumstances,” said Republican Caucus Leader Mark Johnson (East Grand Forks). “I want to thank Sen. Murphy and both caucuses for their work to recognize a balanced Senate structure that not only reflects the makeup of the Senate, it honors the collaborative and bipartisan work that Minnesotans expect of their legislature. We all bring something to the table, and we can work productively under this temporary organization with an orderly start to session.

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.
• Agreement is in place until there are 34 votes to end the agreement.