SF4312 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Appointments not confirmed within 30 days refusal
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- To change how quickly state-level appointments that require legislative confirmation must be acted on, and to establish automatic approval if no action is taken within a specified period. It also clarifies that one particular type of appointment is exempt from these rules.
Main Provisions
- Time limits for advice and consent:
- For appointments that only require confirmation by the Senate: If the Senate does not reject or confirm the appointment within a specified number of legislative days after the letter of appointment is received by the President of the Senate, the appointment is deemed approved (consented to) by the Senate.
- For appointments that require confirmation by both the Senate and the House: If neither chamber rejects the appointment nor confirms it within a specified number of legislative days after the later of receiving the appointment letter (either by the Senate President or the House Speaker), the appointment is deemed approved by both chambers.
- Exemption:
- The time-limit rules do not apply to appointments to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board under section 10A.02.
Scope and Key Terms
- Applies to Minnesota state government appointments that require “advice and consent.”
- The process references specific actors and documents: the Senate, the House of Representatives, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House, and the “letter of appointment.”
- The changes are codified in Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 15.066 subdivision 3.
Notable Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces automatic approval (deemed consent/approval) if no action is taken within a defined period, instead of leaving appointments in limbo awaiting action.
- Distinguishes between Senate-only confirmations and confirmations by both chambers, with separate timelines.
- Creates an explicit exemption for Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board appointments.
Potential Effects
- Could speed up the appointment process by reducing delays caused by inaction.
- Shifts potential leverage toward the governor's nominees, since lack of timely action can result in automatic approval.
- May reduce debate time for certain appointments, while still requiring formal action for others.
Relevant Terms - advice and consent time limit - appointments - confirmation - rejection - consented to the appointment - deemed approved/consent - Senate - House of Representatives - president of the Senate - Speaker of the House - letter of appointment - legislative days - Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board - section 10A.02 - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 15.066 subdivision 3 - state government
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 11, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 11, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | State and Local Government |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Explicit reduction of the time limit to 30 legislative days for relevant confirmations.",
"Statement that the section does not apply to Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board appointments under § 10A.02."
],
"removed": [
"No explicit removals stated; the bill reduces the prior 60-day limit."
],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, § 15.066, subd. 3 to shorten the advice-and-consent time limit for appointments awaiting confirmation—reducing the period from 60 legislative days to 30 legislative days for Senate-only confirmations, and from 60 to 30 legislative days for joint Senate/House confirmations; it also clarifies that the change does not apply to Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board appointments under § 10A.02.",
"modified": [
"Time limit for Senate-only confirmations changed from 60 to 30 legislative days.",
"Time limit for joint Senate/House confirmations changed from 60 to 30 legislative days; uses the later-of receipt dates in its calculation."
]
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 15.066 subdivision 3",
"subdivision": "Subd.3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill notes an exemption: changes to § 15.066 do not apply to appointments to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board under § 10A.02.",
"modified": [
"Explicit exemption preserving the applicability of § 10A.02 appointments from the § 15.066 changes."
]
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 10A.02",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee