Ewald at the Capitol/January 8

Start of 2021 Legislative Session

The 2021 legislative session began this week. Both bodies will be working in some hybrid fashion this year. Both the House and Senate will be holding floor sessions with very few members in person and the rest present remotely. The House will operate fully remote for committee hearings and the Senate will operate both fully remote and hybrid for their committee hearings.

Both bodies have now implemented technology that supports secure remote voting during floor sessions for efficiency. Prior to these systems being put in place, a vocal roll call had to be held every time a vote was taken, with each individual legislator responding “aye”, “nay” or “pass”. These votes took approximately 10 minutes each to complete in the House, where there are 134 members. The new voting systems will allow members to vote immediately, which is how the Legislature functioned pre-COVID-19 when all members were physically in the chambers.

There are no changes in leadership from the last biennium to this biennium. All existing leaders were re-elected by their bodies. 2021-2022 biennium leadership will include:

House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park)
House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley)
House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown)
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa)
Senate President Jeremy Miller (R-Winona)
Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury)

New COVID-19 Restrictions

New Minnesota COVID-19 restrictions were announced by Gov. Walz this week to loosen requirements on some industries. Data from the Minnesota Department of Health show that case rates have now fallen below November surge numbers.

Restaurants and bars are allowed to return to 50 percent capacity, not to exceed 150 people. Tables/groups must be spaced 6 feet apart. Reservations are required and there will be a 10 p.m. curfew.

For restaurants, six people are allowed per table.
For bars, parties of two are allowed.

Bowling alleys, movie theaters and other indoor entertainment venues are allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity, not to exceed 150 people. No food can be served past 10 p.m.
No change to current private social gathering restrictions.
Wedding receptions and similar gatherings where food is served are limited to two households, not to exceed 10 people indoors. Outdoor wedding receptions and similar gatherings are limited to three households, not to exceed 15 people.
Gyms, fitness studios and pools are allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity, but can now have an upper limit of 150 people maximum (previously 100 people).
Gyms, fitness studios and pools are allowed to reduce social distancing from 12 feet between individuals to 9 feet between individuals.
Group fitness can now operate in class sizes of up to 25 people.
Outdoor events and entertainment can function at 25 percent capacity, not to exceed 250 people.

The new restrictions are effective beginning Jan. 10 at 11:59 p.m.