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Sparks, Daniel D. "Dan"


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Map of Austin
Austin, MN

Senate 2003-2012 (District 27); Senate 2013-Present (District 27)

Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served:  Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower, Steele

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 07/05/1968 Date of Death: 
Birth Place: Austin, Minnesota Birth County: Mower Birth Country: United States
Other Names: Dan
Gender:  Male Religion:  Lutheran
City of Residence (when first elected):  Austin

Occupation (when first elected):  Banker

EDUCATION

Austin High School, Minnesota; Secondary; Graduate, late 1980s
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Attended College; A Few Classes Away from a Degree
St. Cloud State University; Attended College;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Board/Commission/CouncilMinnesota Clean Water CouncilAppointed09/??/2011 to ??/??/20??

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Andrea (first listed in 2005)
Children: Four children: Hailey, Maddy, and Rylie (daughters); Niklas Tyler (son, born while he was in office)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: agriculture, energy, education funding, lowering prescription drug costs, economic development.

He was a youth hockey and baseball coach.

His mother, Faye Sparks, was a Legislative Assistant to Sen. James Metzen.

Religion provided by the 2006 WCCO TV Voters' Guide.

Legislative Session: 88th (2013-2014)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/6/2012 Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/2/2017
District: 27 Residence: Austin
Counties Represented: Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower, Steele
Occupation: Loan Officer
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Capital Investment
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Economic Development, and Agriculture Division
Finance Subcommittee: Higher Education and Workforce Development Division
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Jobs, Agriculture, and Rural Development (Chair)

Legislative Session: 87th (2011-2012)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/2/2010 Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
District: 27 Residence: Austin
Counties Represented: Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower
Occupation: Loan Officer
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Agriculture and Rural Economies
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications

Legislative Session: 86th (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/2006 Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
District: 27 Residence: Austin
Counties Represented: Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower
Occupation: Mortgage Loan Officer, MinnState Mortgage
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Business, Industry and Jobs
Business, Industry and Jobs Subcommittee: Bioscience and Renewable Energy Development (Chair)
Capital Investment
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications
Finance Subcommittee: Economic Development and Housing Budget Division

Legislative Session: 85th (2007-2008)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/2006 Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
District: 27 Residence: Austin
Counties Represented: Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower
Occupation: Loan Officer
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Business, Industry and Jobs
Capital Investment
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications
Finance Subcommittee: Economic Development Budget Division

Legislative Session: 84th (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/2002 Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
District: 27 Residence: Austin
Counties Represented: Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower
Occupation: Loan Officer
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Commerce
Commerce Subcommittee: Consumer Protection, Banking and Insurance (Chair)
Commerce Subcommittee: No Fault Insurance
Finance Subcommittee: Early Childhood Policy and Budget Division
Finance Subcommittee: K-12 Education Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Energy
Jobs, Energy and Community Development Subcommittee: Telecommunications and Technology
Session Notes: His margin of victory over Grace Schwab was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 5 - 7 votes. A court case was filed over the status of ballots that had been burned.

Legislative Session: 83rd (2003-2004)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/2002 Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
District: 27 Residence: Austin
Counties Represented: Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower
Occupation: Banker
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs-2003/Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming-2004
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004 Subcommittee: Consumer Protection and Banking (Chair)
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004 Subcommittee: Telecommunications and Technology
Elections-2004
Finance Subcommittee: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division-2003/K-12 Education Budget Division-2004
Jobs, Housing and Community Development-2003/Jobs, Energy and Community Development-2004
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Elections
Session Notes: He was a member of the Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs Committee in 2003 only. He was a member of the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee in 2004 only. His margin of victory over Grace Schwab was so close an automatic recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 5 - 7 votes. A court case was filed over the status of ballots that had been burned.

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