On July 13, Governor Walz convened the second special legislative session of 2020 as required by law after issuing an extension of the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency for another 30 days. On July 21, both the House and Senate adjourned the second special session sine die, unable to come to agreement on major issues.
On July 13, Governor Walz convened the second special legislative session of 2020 as required by law after issuing an extension of the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency for another 30 days. The House and Senate met for one day, then recessed until yesterday to allow for continued negotiations on issues including police reform, supplemental spending, and a capital investment bonding bill.
Shortly after 2 a.m., this morning, both the House and Senate adjourned the special session sine die. Prior to adjournment, the legislature was able to pass two bills, including the Minnesota Police Accountability Act, which Governor Walz indicated he will sign into law.
Unfortunately, the legislature did not pass a bonding bill before adjourning. The House took up the bill in the early hours, and it included $85.381 million for the University of Minnesota for HEAPR, Child Development Building Replacement, the A.B. Anderson Hall Renovation, design funding for the Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory, and other funding language. However, the bill did not receive the 81 votes necessary to pass, failing on a vote of 75-57.
The governor currently maintains his peacetime emergency powers through August 12. The legislature is likely to return next month for the third special session of 2020 if Governor Walz seeks to renew his peacetime emergency powers for another 30 days.