Journals
What is the Daily Journal?
The daily journals, compiled by the Chief Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate for their respective bodies, are the official records of legislative proceedings. The state constitution requires that the journal contain a record of all roll call votes. The journals record attendance, bill introductions, committee reports, amendments to bills, and reports of conference committees. In addition, it is the record of official communications between the two bodies, messages from the governor and protests filed by members.
Minnesota is a "journal entry state," which means that the journal is the final authority used by the courts concerning actions of the Legislature and in determining legislative intent. Therefore it is very important that the journal be complete and accurate.
The daily journal is printed at the end of each day's session and is made available online to members, staff and the public before the next day's session. The House and Senate journals are compiled following a legislative session into permanent publications.
How are the Journals distributed?
Copies of the Senate Journal are available in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, Room 231 State Capitol. House Journals are available in the Chief Clerk's Office, Room 211 State Capitol. In addition, you can view the House and Senate Journals on the Legislature's Web site.
Is there a charge for the Journal?
No. They are free.
Are Journals mailed out?
No. If you want a specific piece of information from a journal, staff in the Secretary of the Senate's Office and the Chief Clerk's Office will try to provide it for you.
What is the permanent Journal?
It is a compilation of all the daily journals placed in one bound volume. The appropriate offices in the House and the Senate proofread, correct, index, and certify those journals before printing them in their permanent forms.
What is the distribution of the permanent Journal?
The permanent Journals of both the House and Senate are distributed to Senate and House members and staff, to depository libraries, constitutional offices, and some state offices.
Where do I find Journals, Minnesota Statutes, and Session Laws?
Print copies of current session Journals are available to the public at the Secretary of the Senate's Office counter and the front desk of the House Chief Clerk's Office. In addition, electronic versions of House Journals (since 1994), Senate Journals (since 1996), Minnesota Statutes and Session Laws are available on the Legislative Web site.
The Legislative Reference Library has current and historical printed Journals, Minnesota Statutes, and Session Laws available for public use.
Some Journals, Minnesota Statutes, and Session Laws from previous years are available for reference on a limited basis in the Senate Information Office, Room 231 State Capitol and Senate Index, Room 110 State Capitol and in the House Public Information Services, Room 175 State Office Building.