SF5249

Purpose

• To propose a constitutional change that would allow the lieutenant governor to cast a tie-breaking vote in the Minnesota House of Representatives when the House is equally divided on a question.

Main Provisions

• Section 1 — Constitutional amendment proposed:
  • If adopted, Article IV section 22 would read: “The style of all laws of this state shall be … No law shall be passed unless voted for by a majority of all the members elected to each house of the legislature and the vote entered in the journal of each house. If the house of representatives is equally divided on a question the lieutenant governor may cast a vote on the question in the house of representatives. The vote of the lieutenant governor must be entered in the journal and counted as if it were cast by a member elected to the house of representatives. The lieutenant governor is not a member of the house of representatives for any other purpose.”
  • This changes who can break ties in the House and how that vote is recorded.
• Section 2 — Submission to voters:
  • The proposed amendment must be submitted to Minnesota voters at the 2028 general election.
  • Ballot language would ask: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to allow the lieutenant governor to cast a vote on a question on which members of the house of representatives are equally divided?” with choices Yes or No.
• Section 3 — Revisor instruction:
  • The revisor of statutes must change the headnote of Minnesota Constitution Article IV section 22 to read “Majority vote to pass a law.”
  • This is a technical, wording change to reflect the proposed shift in voting rules.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a tie-breaking role for the lieutenant governor in the House of Representatives, integrating the lieutenant governor into the legislative voting process for divided decisions.
• Requires the lieutenant governor’s tie-breaking vote to be entered in the journal and counted as if cast by a member elected to the House.
• Clarifies that the lieutenant governor is not considered a member of the House for any other purpose.
• Maintains the current requirement that laws pass only by a majority of all members elected to each house, preserving the overall framework for passing laws.
• Establishes a direct voter referendum (2028 general election) to approve or reject the constitutional amendment.

Practical Implications

• Potentially changes the outcome of close votes in the House, depending on the lieutenant governor’s alignment.
• The change would become law only if the voters approve the amendment in 2028.
• Journal entry requirements would formally record the lieutenant governor’s tie-breaking vote.

Relevant Terms - constitutional amendment - Article IV section 22 - lieutenant governor - tie-breaking vote - House of Representatives - journal - counted as if it were cast by a member elected to the house - equal division / equally divided - majority of all the members elected to each house - 2028 general election - ballot language - Yes / No - revisor of statutes - headnote - Majorit y vote to pass a law