The Minnesota Senate Committee on Rules and Administration voted Feb. 14 to form five subcommittees and approved a slate of appointments to multiple legislative commissions and advisory councils.

The committee, chaired by Senator Jeremy Murphy, adopted a motion by Senator Steve Pappas to establish the subcommittee on committees, the subcommittee on conference committees, the subcommittee on ethical conduct, the subcommittee on joint and permanent rules and the subcommittee on litigation expenses. The motion was adopted by voice vote, with the chair calling for ayes and nos and announcing the motion adopted.

Committee staff member Ms. Stengel reviewed a separate appointments list in members' packets and noted those appointments included slots on the Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy; the Legislative Commission on Minnesota's Resources; the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement; the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council; the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB); the Military Interstate Children's Compact; the Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans; the Rural Policy and Development Center Board of Directors; and the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. Ms. Stengel also noted that Senator Grant Hur would serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority while public member Ted Suss, by state statute referenced in the meeting, serves a four-year term and not at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

Senator Mark Johnson moved to approve the appointments on the list dated Feb. 14, 2025. The committee approved that motion by voice vote; the chair announced the motion adopted. The meeting record does not include a roll-call or numeric tally for either voice vote.

The committee convened at about 9:03 a.m. and recessed briefly while members reviewed the packet materials before acting. Chair Murphy said the rules committee's work for the morning was complete and adjourned the meeting.

Why it matters: The subcommittees will handle internal Rules Committee business and make recommendations on matters such as conflicts, litigation expense oversight and conference committee membership. Appointments to the named commissions and councils place legislators and public members on bodies that advise or make recommendations on pensions, natural resources, outdoor heritage funding, regional economic development and demographic advisory councils that inform state policy.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to establish five subcommittees and approve the appointments list (moved by Senator Steve Pappas): adopted by voice vote; numeric tally not specified.
- Motion to approve the appointments dated Feb. 14, 2025 (moved by Senator Mark Johnson): adopted by voice vote; numeric tally not specified.

Meeting context: The meeting was brief, limited to formation of subcommittees and approval of appointment lists; there was no extended debate recorded. Several statutory and membership details (notably the four-year statutory term for public member Ted Suss) were clarified on the record by committee staff.