Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

Accessibility menu

Menu

Minnesota Legislative Reference Library Legislators Past & Present

Library Navigation

Skip Navigation LinksLegislature > LRL Home > Legislators Past & Present > Member Record New Search

Sviggum, Steven A. "Steve"

Sessions Served  red ball graphic  Other Information

Click to enlarge

Map of Nerstrand
Nerstrand, MN

House 1979-82 (District 25A); House 1983-92 (District 26A); House 1993-2007 (District 28B)

Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

Counties Served:  Dakota, Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Winona

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 09/15/1951 Date of Death: 
Birth Place:  Birth County:  Birth Country:
Other Names: Steve
Gender:  Male Religion:  Lutheran
City of Residence (when first elected):  Nerstrand

Occupation (when first elected):  Farmer/Teacher

EDUCATION

Kenyon High School; Secondary; Graduate
St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota; B.A.; Mathematics

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State AgencyMinnesota Department of Labor and Industry (Commissioner)Appointed07/17/2007 to 12/01/2010
State AgencyMinnesota Management and Budget (Commissioner)Appointed12/02/2010 to 01/??/2011
Board of RegentsUniversity of Minnesota (2nd Congressional District, He Resigned Before His Term Was Over) 03/10/2011 to 03/08/2012
State Legislative StaffMinnesota Senate (Communications Director for the Republican Caucus and Executive Assistant to Senator Dave Senjem) 01/17/2012 to ??/??/20??

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single (when first elected); Debra "Debbie" (first listed in 1981)
Children: Three children: Erik Bjorn, and Hans Peder (sons); Marit Christine (daughter) (all born while he was in office)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He was a member of Vang Lutheran Church in Dennison, Minnesota.

Religion provided by the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1987-88.

Legislative Session: 85th (2007-2008)   Session Details term photo
Click to enlarge
Body: House Elected: 11/7/2006 Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 7/17/2007 (unfinished term)
District: 28B Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona
Occupation: Farmer, Grain and Beef Cattle/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Finance Minutes
Finance Subcommittee: State Government Finance Division Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes
Reason for unfinished term: Appointed to other office
Session Notes: He was appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to become Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry on July 17, 2007.
Legislative Session: 84th (2005-2006)   Session Details term photo
Click to enlarge
Body: House Elected: 11/2/2004 Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
District: 28B Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Leadership Position: Speaker of the House
Legislative Session: 83rd (2003-2004)   Session Details term photo
Click to enlarge
Body: House Elected: 11/5/2002 Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
District: 28B Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona
Occupation: Farmer/Legislator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Rules and Legislative Administration
Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Speaker of the House
Legislative Session: 82nd (2001-2002)   Session Details term photo
Click to enlarge
Body: House Elected: 11/7/2000 Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
District: 28B Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Rules and Legislative Administration
Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Speaker of the House
Legislative Session: 81st (1999-2000)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/3/1998 Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
District: 28B Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Rules and Legislative Administration
Taxes
Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Speaker of the House
Legislative Session: 80th (1997-1998)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/5/1996 Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
District: 28B Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Labor-Management Relations
Rules and Legislative Administration
Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 79th (1995-1996)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/8/1994 Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997
District: 28B Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Rules and Legislative Administration
Rules and Legislative Administration Subcommittee: Administration
Rules and Legislative Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Rules and Legislative Administration Subcommittee: Rules
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Sales and Income Tax Division
Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 78th (1993-1994)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/3/1992 Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/2/1995
District: 28B Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Rules and Legislative Administration
Rules and Legislative Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Property Tax
Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 77th (1991-1992)   Session Details term photo
Click to enlarge
Body: House Elected: 11/6/1990 Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993
District: 26A Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs, and Gaming
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs, and Gaming Subcommittee: Veterans Affairs Division
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services Subcommittee: Social and Family Services
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations Subcommittee: Worker's Compensation and Unemployment Insurance
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Property Tax
Legislative Session: 76th (1989-1990)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/8/1988 Term of Office: 1/3/1989 to 1/7/1991
District: 26A Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Teacher
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming Subcommittee: Elections Division
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services Subcommittee: Social Services
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations Subcommittee: Unemployment Insurance and Workers' Compensation
Rules and Legislative Administration
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Tax Laws
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 75th (1987-1988)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/4/1986 Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/2/1989
District: 26A Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming Subcommittee: Gaming
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming Subcommittee: Veterans Affairs and Miscellaneous Legislation
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services Subcommittee: Social Services
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations Subcommittee: Unemployment Insurance and Workers Compensation Division
Taxes
Taxes Subcommittee: Tax Law Division
Legislative Session: 74th (1985-1986)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/6/1984 Term of Office: 1/8/1985 to 1/5/1987
District: 26A Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Family Farmer/Educator/Coach
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Governmental Operations
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services Subcommittee: Social Services
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations Subcommittee: Unemployment Insurance and Workers Compensation Division (Chair)
Rules and Legislative Administration
Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader
Legislative Session: 73rd (1983-1984)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/2/1982 Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/7/1985
District: 26A Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee: Gaming Division
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee: Veterans Affairs and Miscellaneous Legislation
Governmental Operations
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: Pensions and Investments
Health and Welfare
Health and Welfare Subcommittee: Social Services
Legislative Session: 72nd (1981-1982)   Session Details term photo
Click to enlarge
Body: House Elected: 11/4/1980 Term of Office: 1/6/1981 to 1/3/1983
District: 25A Residence: Kenyon
Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue
Occupation: Teacher/Football and Basketball Coach/Farmer
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Financial Institutions and Insurance Subcommittee: Banking
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee: General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Governmental Operations
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: Pensions and Investments
Health and Welfare
Health and Welfare Subcommittee: Social Services
Legislative Session: 71st (1979-1980)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/7/1978 Term of Office: 1/3/1979 to 1/5/1981
District: 25A Residence: Nerstrand
Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Teacher
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Agriculture
Agriculture Subcommittee: Agriculture Programs and Policies
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Governmental Operations
Governmental Operations Subcommittee: Administration and Structures

OTHER INFORMATION

Audio/Video
Session Interview (Video) 2007 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2006 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2003 House Interview


Articles & Books About
Wetzel, Matt. "More or Less: Republicans, DFL Take Different Paths When Establishing Leadership Structure." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 7, 2005, p. 7.

Lonergan, Tom. "Running the Show: Sviggum Re-Elected as House Speaker, Olson Joins Abrams and Boudreau as Speaker Pro Tempore." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 10, 2003, p. 9.

Donovan, Sandy. "Sviggum Promises Balance, Openness in House." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 8, 1999, p. 7.

Riley, Celeste. "Sviggum: Lawmaking One of the 'Best Things' He's Done." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 24, 1997, p. 13.

Hanzlik, K. Darcy. "Minority Leader's Success Will be Measured Nov. 8." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, March 18, 1994, p. 14.

Price, Dave. "'Sviggum Referees House Minority Caucus." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 22, 1993, p. 10.




The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

Name Search
Other Searches

Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 645 State Office Building, Saint Paul, MN  55155